Washington, DC – A member of the US Navy who serves as one of President Donald Trump’s personal valets has tested positive for COVID-19, raising concerns about the President’s possible exposure to the virus, according to now confirmed reports.
Confirming the reports to IAT, a Pentagon official in an email said, “As with any other service member who tests positive, the individual will quarantine in their residence, and will receive medical care as needed.”
Austin Cantrell, a White House aide cited a statement issued by deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley.
“We were recently 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,” Gidley said in his statement. “The President and the Vice President have since tested negative for the virus and they remain in great health,” added Gidley.
Later President Trump told journalists in the Oval Office at the White House: “I’ve had very little contact with this person.” He said internal White House testing will change from once a week to once a day. Trump added he himself was tested yesterday and today and was negative.
Valets serving in the White House are usually from highly vetted military personnel. They are not only responsible for food and beverage services in the West Wing, but also assist the first family in various ways, including during travel.
Tejinder Singh, Editor, India America Today & White House Correspondent