President Trump & First Lady Test Positive for Novel Coronavirus

Pres. Donald Trump has confirmed that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for coronavirus.

The president announced the news himself in a Twitter message shortly before 1 a.m. ET Friday.

“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19,” the president wrote. “We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!

The announcement was made just hours it was revealed that White House adviser Hope Hicks has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling with President Trump to a rally in Duluth, Minnesota.

Hicks, who serves as counselor to the president, traveled with him aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s debate and to his rally in Minnesota the following day.

She tested positive Thursday, according to an administration official.

“The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously,” White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.

“White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling,” Deere said.

Hicks, one of the president’s most trusted aides, previously served as White House communications director and rejoined the administration this year ahead of the election.

Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus, including Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, as well as one of the president’s personal valets.