The White House has confirmed that a member of the US Navy who serves as President Donald Trump’s personal valet has tested positive for coronavirus, CNN reported Thursday.
The valets are members of an elite military unit dedicated to the White House and often work very close to the President and first family, raising concerns about the President’s possible exposure to the virus.
Citing an administration source, CNN reports that Trump was very upset when he was informed Wednesday that the valet had tested positive, a source told CNN, and he was subsequently tested again by the White House physician.
White House press secretary Hogan Gidley confirmed the report, saying in a statement that they were notified by the White House Medical Unit that “a member of the United States Military, who works on the White House campus, has tested positive for Coronavirus.”
“The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health,” she added
A White House source said the valet, a man who has not been identified, exhibited “symptoms” Wednesday morning, and said the news that someone close to Trump had tested positive for coronavirus was “hitting the fan” in the West Wing.
Trump, Mike Pence, and the senior staffers who regularly interact with them are being tested weekly for coronavirus, two people familiar told CNN.
