Where was Donald Trump in the days and hours leading up to coronavirus diagnosis?
President Donald Trump attended several events in the days before he tested positive for the coronavirus.
The president announced early Friday morning he and first lady Melania Trump are quarantining after they received positive COVID-19 tests.
Where was the president leading up to his positive test?
Wednesday, Sept. 30
Trump landed in Minneapolis around 4 p.m. Wednesday before attending a private fundraiser in Shorewood, according to KARE.
The fundraiser was held at the home of Marty Davis, the CEO of quartz surface producer Cambria, KSTP reported.
That night, Air Force One landed in Duluth, Minnesota, at 8 p.m., where he spoke at an outdoor rally for 45 minutes, WCCO reported.
Around 3,000 people attended the rally, according to the Superior Telegram, a Duluth publication. Few people were wearing masks at the event, where there was little social distancing, the newspaper reported.
Trump was filmed by videographer Brendan Gutenschwager throwing hats to the Duluth crowd when he entered the stage.
Hope Hicks, a senior aid to Trump whose positive coronavirus test was confirmed hours before the president’s, traveled with Trump Wednesday, according to CBS News.
Trump returned to Washington, D.C., following the Duluth rally.
Other people Trump met with Wednesday include senior advisers Jared Kushner and Stephen Miller, along with Dan Scavino, the White House social media director, according to pool reports obtained by McClatchy News. He also met with Minnesota state officials and National Guard members.
Thursday, Oct. 1
Trump attended a campaign fundraiser at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Thursday.
The Washington Post reported Trump did not wear a mask and “was in close contact with dozens of other people, including campaign supporters, at a roundtable event.”
All attendees tested negative for COVID-19 the day leading up to the event and passed a temperature screening before being allowed entry, a Republican National Committee spokesperson told ABC News.
CBS News reported the White House knew of Hick’s positive coronavirus test before Trump attended the event.
He left New Jersey around 4:40 p.m., according to NJ.com.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy gave recommendations Friday morning for the people who attended the Bedminster event.
“We urge everyone who attended yesterday’s event in Bedminster to take full precautions, including self-quarantining and getting tested for COVID-19,” the Democratic governor stated.
At a virtual event held Thursday, Trump said, “I just want to say that the end of the pandemic is in sight, and next year will be one of the greatest years in the history of our country.”
Trump tweeted late Thursday that Hicks tested positive for COVID-19 and he and the first lady had been tested. Hours later, he confirmed they tested positive and said “we will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately.”
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 8:58 AM with the headline "Where was Donald Trump in the days and hours leading up to coronavirus diagnosis?."