Trump's chief of staff infected by coronavirus
[WASHINGTON] President Donald Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, has told associates he has coronavirus, according to people familiar with the matter, adding to the outbreaks connected to the White House.
It wasn't immediately clear when Mr Meadows learned that he had contracted the virus or whether he had developed symptoms of Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus. He informed a close circle of advisers after Tuesday's election, one of the people said.
Mr Meadows didn't respond to multiple requests for comment. White House spokespeople didn't respond to numerous e-mails and phone messages requesting comment.
A Trump campaign aide, Nick Trainer, is also infected, according to two people familiar with the matter. He and campaign spokespeople declined to comment.
Mr Meadows has remained involved in Mr Trump's post-election effort to challenge votes in several states where he trails former vice-president Joe Biden, according to one person familiar with the matter.
The people familiar with the matter asked not to be identified because the two cases had not been announced.
GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
More than three dozen people associated with the president or the White House have been infected by the virus, including the president, his wife, Melania, and his youngest son, Barron. Vice-President Mike Pence's chief of staff, Marc Short, and other aides tested positive for the virus late last month, shortly before the election.
Mr Meadows was at Mr Trump's bedside when the president was hospitalised last month with Covid-19.
Mr Trump's handling of the pandemic has been rated poorly by most Americans in public opinion surveys, and is seen as a major reason he's poised to lose re-election to Mr Biden.
BLOOMBERG
KEYWORDS IN THIS ARTICLE
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Philippines’ Recto sees rate-cut delay risk if peso sinks to 59
Ecuador president declares state of emergency over energy crisis
US Senate has agreement on Fisa reauthorisation, will vote on Friday night, Schumer says
US expects to finalise new Aukus trade exemptions in next 120 days
IMF concerned about debt, fiscal challenges facing low-income countries
Bank of Japan’s Ueda says ‘very likely’ to hike rates if inflation keeps rising