President Trump announced early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus.
“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!,” Trump tweeted, with his wife adding in a separate tweet that the pair “are feeling good.”
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said later Friday morning that the president is experiencing mild symptoms but “will remain on the job” with Election Day just weeks away.
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The Trumps tested positive after learning that Hope Hicks, a close aide to the president, had tested positive earlier this week and was home in quarantine. Hicks, 31, traveled with the president to several events this week, including the first presidential debate against Democratic nominee Joe Biden in Cleveland.
Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen both tested negative, his press secretary tweeted Friday. The White House said Donald Trump’s children Ivanka and Barron have also tested negative.
Biden said Friday afternoon that he had been tested twice since the morning, with both results negative.
“Jill and I send our thoughts to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a swift recovery,” the former vice president tweeted. “We will continue to pray for the health and safety of the president and his family.”
The president, rarely wearing a mask in public, has downplayed the importance of wearing a face covering at several rallies attended by his supporters.
