Chris Christie Latest Victim of White House COVID19 Outbreak
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is just the latest Donald Trump crony to be diagnosed with the coronavirus after spending time with Trump in closed quarters to prepare for the first Presidential Debate. At least nine current and former White House employees have tested positive for the virus as Trump remains hospitalized and under observation at Walter Reed Hospital. Trump’s debate prep team was also comprised of Conway, campaign manager Bill Stepien, and Hope Hicks; all have tested positive for the virus. Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani also participated but had not been tested as of Saturday morning despite his exposure.
The nation is still reeling from Trump’s revelation late Thursday night that he was positive for the virus he had been downplaying, along with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. The mystery around his diagnosis continued Friday when he was medivacked to Walter Reed Hospital on Marine One. Details regarding his status are murky, with his personal doctor keeping details to a minimum.
I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19. I want to thank all of my friends and colleagues who have reached out to ask how I was feeling in the last day or two. I will be receiving medical attention today and will keep the necessary folks apprised of my condition.
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) October 3, 2020
Most of the positive cases are being traced to the event held at the Rose Garden on Saturday, September 26, officially introducing Amy Coney Barrett as Trump’s nominee to replace Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court. The mostly maskless ceremony has been dubbed a superspreader event in the wake of so many new positive diagnoses.
Last night on @Lawrence @MSNBC I talked about the possibility that there was a #COVID19 superspreader at the Rose Garden on Sept 26. As more attendees test positive, a pattern is emerging: All were seated in the 1st 3 rows where nearly no masks were worn.https://t.co/IomV4cvj9i
— Laurie Garrett (@Laurie_Garrett) October 3, 2020
As of Saturday morning, the complete list of known members of the GOP with a positive COVID status:
Donald Trump
Melania Trump
GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel
Kellyanne Conway
Sen Ron Johnson of Wisconsin
Sen Thom Tillis of North Carolina
Hope Hicks
Rep Mike Lee of Utah
Bill Stepien of the Trump Campaign
Chris Christie