WASHINGTON, D.C. – One of President Donald Trump’s personal valets has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the administration confirmed to CNN and The Washington Times on Thursday.
In a statement obtained by the outlets, deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were subsequently tested again and their tests came back negative for the virus.
A source told CNN that the valet, a member of the U.S. Navy who hasn’t been identified, exhibited “symptoms” Wednesday morning.
According to the source, the news that someone close to the president had tested positive was “hitting the fan” in the West Wing.
This is the first known instance where a person who has come in close proximity to Trump has tested positive for the virus since several people who visited Mar-a-Lago were diagnosed in March.
The White House has instituted safety protocols to protect the nation’s political leaders. That includes frequent temperature checks of staff and the media.