On Thursday evening, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump tested positive for coronavirus.
The announcement followed the news that the president’s top aide Hope Hicks has also tested positive for the virus after travelling with Trump multiple times over the last week.
Fears that the president may have contracted the virus were raised after it was revealed Hicks had travelled on both Marine One, the presidential helicopter, and on Air Force One in the last seven days, which transported the president and his staff to the presidential debate on Tuesday and other campaign rallies around the country.
Hicks also travelled with the president to a rally in Pennsylvania last Saturday where she was seen maskless and clapping to the Village People’s YMCA. She has also been pictured with Jared Kushner and other senior White House staff in that time.
A timeline of Trump’s movements and who he has come into contact with in the last week. Both he and presidential aide Hope Hicks tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday
Trump walks from Marine One as he returns from an event in Bedminster, New Jersey, on the South Lawn of the White House, hours before testing positive for the coronavirus on October 1
The president tweeted to confirm the news shortly before 1am EST Friday, writing: ‘Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!’
With a busy presidential schedule, Trump and Hicks have come into contact with a number of other high-profile officials and members of the public in the last week.
In that time, he has taken part in three campaign rallies, has taken four round-trips on Air Force One and at least two flights on Marine One.
He also taken part in the presidential debate against Democratic nominee Joe Biden, held a number of press conferences – including to formally nominate his Supreme Court pick – and attended a number of fundraisers.
SEPTEMBER 14: Hope Hicks, left, is seated across President Donald Trump inside Marine One as it lands on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington. Hicks, Trump and first lady Melania Trump have now all tested positive for the coronavirus
SEPTEMBER 14: President Donald Trump walks off Marine One as Hope Hicks is seen through the window as he returns to the White House following a trip to the West Coast
The president has not confirmed when his last negative coronavirus test was, so it is currently unclear how many days Trump could have been spreading the virus for.
Until the time-frame of his last negative test is specified, there will be a number of senior officials concerned about the contact they have had with the president, and many will have to quarantine following the news until they can get tested.
All his adult children – Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany and Donald Trump Jr. – attended the debate against Biden on Thursday, while the eldest three brought Kimberly Guilfoyle, Lara Trump and Jared Kushner, while Tiffany went on her own.
Barron Trump will also have to isolate as he was with his parents at the White House.
Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani flew on Air Force One for the debate having spent the weekend at the White House prepping Trump for his televised clash with Biden.
Officials including Vice President Mike Pence, press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, White House social media director Dan Scavino, special assistant to the President and White House trip director William Russell, and director of the White House personnel John McEntee have all come into contact with Hicks or Trump.
White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have also come into contact with Mike Pence in the last week.
On Tuesday, Ohio Republican congressman Jim Jordan, national security adviser Robert O’Brien – who tested positive for coronavirus in July – and campaign strategist Jason Miller all flew on Air Force One.
Robert Ford, CEO of Abbott Laboratories was at the White House with Trump on Monday, as were Admiral Brett Geroir, Assistant HHS Secretary and member of the coronavirus taskforce and Alex Azar the HHS Secretary.
Guidance from the CDC for people who have tested positive for coronavirus states that they should inform all close contacts.
Friday September 25: Trump travels with Hicks to Virginia for a campaign rally
A week ago – on Friday September 25 – Trump traveled to Newport News, Virginia for a campaign rally.
Hicks traveled with him to the rally on Air Force One and was seen disembarking not wearing a mask.
At the rally Trump shared the stage with Mike Pence and was in close contact with him while neither men wore a mask.
SEPTEMBER 25: U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force Once at the end of a campaign rally at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
Saturday September 26: Trump nominates Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court seat at a White House event and travels to Pennsylvania for a rally
On September 26, Trump officially nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the now-vacant seat on the Supreme Court following the death of Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg on September 18.
At the event, Trump was pictured in the White House rose garden with Barrett and her family, along with the First Lady.
The president then traveled to another campaign rally in Middletown, Pennsylvania, where a number of members of the Trump administration – including Hope Hicks – were pictured together listening to Trump’s speech.
Hicks was seen maskless and clapping to the Village People’s YMCA.
She was also pictured with Jared Kushner and other senior White House staff.
White House director of social media Dan Scavino, special assistant to the President and White House trip director William Russell and director of the White House personnel John McEntee were also present.
SEPTEMBER 26: U.S President Donald Trump arrives to hold an event to announce his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg earlier this month
SEPTEMBER 26: Judge Amy Coney Barrett stands with Trump after being nominated to the US Supreme Court by President Donald Trump in the Rose Garden of the White House
SEPTEMBER 26: President Donald J. Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Harrisburg International Airport in Middletown, Pennsylvania
SEPTEMBER 26: From left, White House director of social media Dan Scavino, Counselor to the President Hope Hicks, special assistant to the President and White House trip director William Russell, and director of the White House personnel John McEntee listen as President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Harrisburg International Airport
SEPTEMBER 27: U.S. President Donald Trump participates in a round of golf at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia
SEPTEMBER 27: Trump holds a news briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, which was followed by a reception for Gold Star Families
Sunday September 27: Trump plays golf in Virginia, then holds a press conference and a White House reception for Gold Star Families
On Sunday September 27, the president had a relatively quiet day.
Around midday, he visited the National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Virginia.
He then held a press conference in the evening followed by a reception for Gold Star Families.
Monday September 28: Trump holds coronavirus testing strategy event with Mike Pence and then meets with Peter Navarro
The President gave an update on the country’s coronavirus testing strategy alongside Vice President Mike Pence.
Then then held a meeting with White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro, 71, to inspect a new electric pickup truck at the White House.
SEPTEMBER 28: Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence make their way to the Rose Garden to speak on COVID-19 testing at the White House
SEPTEMBER 28: Admiral Brett Giroir, assistant Secretary for Health at Department of Health and Human Services, demonstrates a new 15-minute Covid-19 test during an update on the nation’s COVID-19 Coronavirus testing strategy
SEPTEMBER 28: Donald Trump and White House Trade Adviser Peter Navarro check out the new Endurance all-electric pickup truck on the south lawn of the White House
Tuesday September 29: Trump heads to Ohio with a team of 20 and takes part in the first presidential debate with Joe Biden
On September 29th, Trump traveled with the First Lady, Melania Trump, to Cleveland, Ohio for the first televised presidential debate ahead of the election next month.
Trump traveled with at least 20 people to the debate including Hicks, Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump, Jr. Kimberly Gilfoyle, Eric Trump, Lara Trump, Rep. Jim Jordan, Alice Marie Johnson, Robert O’Brien, Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Jared Kushner, Derek Lyons, Bill Stephen, Gaby Hurt, Dan Scavino, Stephen Miller, Kayleigh McEnany and Tiffany Trump.
Before boarding Marine One, the president was pictured mask-less walking alongside the First Lady on the south lawn while waving to crowds of supporters and standing closer than six feet to personnel at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.
During the debate later that evening, Trump and Joe Biden stood over six feet apart, but did not wear masks during the proceedings.
Biden is tested every day, but is 77, and like Trump falls into the ‘at risk’ of those susceptible to the coronavirus.
Joe Biden’s wife Jill Biden also spent an extended time in the debate hall and was seen close to the First Lady, but wore a mask throughout the event.
SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump and First lady Melania Trump wave to supporters as they walk across the South Lawn to Marine One at the White House
SEPTEMBER 29: Vice President Mike Pence (L) looks over to Seventh U.S. Circuit Court Judge Amy Coney Barrett (2nd-R), President Donald Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, during a meeting with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone (2nd-L), White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (C) and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as Barrett begins a series of meetings to prepare for her confirmation hearing
SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden participate in their first 2020 presidential campaign debate in Cleveland, Ohio
Wednesday September 30: Trump travels to Minnesota rally
On September 30, Ivanka Trump shared a picture on her Instagram account of her with her father on Air Force One.
Later that day the president held a campaign rally in Duluth, Minnesota.
On the way to the rally, Hicks was pictured along with Jared Kushner and other senior White House officials walking from Marine One to Air Force One to accompany the president from Washington DC to Minnesota for the rally.
Three Minnesota congressmen – Representatives Jim Hagedorn, Tom Emmer, and Pete Stauber – also traveled on Air Force One with Trump and Hicks for the rally.
The three congressman also traveled in a motorcade with Trump to and from the rally.
At the rally, he was seen in front of a large crowd of people not wearing masks, and threw a hat to people in the crowd.
While in Minnesota, Trump also had a private conversation with Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt and former congressman and Republican candidate for US Senate Jason Lewis.
Daudt posted a picture on Twitter of himself with the president. The two men were both maskless and standing in very close proximity to each other in front of Air Force One.
Trump also attended a private fundraiser at the suburban Minnetonka home of Cambria CEO Marty Davis.
Hicks is said to have first felt unwell returning from the rally on the president’s plane Wednesday evening.
She was quarantined away from others on the plane.
SEPTEMBER 30: Ivanka Trump poses with her father on Air Force One the day after the presidential debate
SEPTEMBER 30: Counsellor to the President Hope Hicks walks from Marine One to accompany President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One as he departs to a campaign rally
SEPTEMBER 30: Hope Hicks, (left), President Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, and White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino walk to Air Force One to depart Washington with the president and other staff on campaign travel to Minnesota from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland
SEPTEMBER 30: From left, Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Dan Scavino, Assistant to the President and Director of Oval Office Operations Nicholas Luna, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the President Stephen Miller, and counselor to President Hope Hicks
SEPTEMBER 30: Trump arrives aboard Air Force One prior to the start of a ‘Make America Great Again’ election campaign rally at Duluth International Airport in Duluth, Minnesota
SEPTEMBER 30: Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, few wearing masks, look on as Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Duluth International Airport in Minnesota
SEPTEMBER 30: Donald Trump, flanked by security staff, tosses a hat to supporters as he arrives to speak at a campaign rally at Duluth International Airport in Minnesota
Thursday October 1: Trump attends round-table and fundraiser in New Jersey before flying back to the White House where he tests positive for COVID-19
On Thursday, Trump continued with his schedule and travelled to and from his Bedminster, New Jersey golf resort to take part in two campaign events despite Hicks showing symptoms and falling ill the previous day.
His social media director Dan Scavino and press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, who were originally set to join him on the Thursday trip, were replaced at the last minute by other aides.
Ivanka was pictured visiting Charlotte, North Carolina and mingling with members of the public.
Ivanka, who shared a photo alongside her father – both maskless – on Air Force One the day before, participated in talks with Mercedes Schlapp, Trump 2020 Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications, and local Trump supporters.
At one point she was seen making candy floss at a store.
Ivanka wore a mask but was closer than six feet to members of the public and supporters.
Meanwhile, Mike Pence spoke at an event hosted by The Family Leader Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa. Pence, who is 61, was seen in close proximity to the crowd. He has since tested negative for the virus.
The president attended a fund raiser in New Jersey where he participated in a round-table with supporters at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster before speaking at a fundraising committee reception.
Hicks tested positive for the virus. Trump flew back to the White House Thursday evening and was last seen by reporters walking across the south lawn in front of the White House.
Hours later, Trump and Melania tested positive for coronavirus.
First lady Melania tweeted: ‘As too many Americans have done this year, @potus & I are quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19. We are feeling good & I have postponed all upcoming engagements. Please be sure you are staying safe & we will all get through this together.’
OCTOBER 1: President Donald Trump walks from Marine One towards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base
OCTOBER 1: Vice President Mike Pence waves to supporters after speaking at an event hosted by The Family Leader Foundation, and is seen in close-proximity with attendees. Pence has since tested negative for COVID-19
OCTOBER 1: Ivanka Trump participates talks with Mercedes Schlapp, Trump 2020 Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications, and local supporters on President Trump’s America First agenda in Charlotte, North Carolina
OCTOBER 1: White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany holds a daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. McEnany was set to join Trump on Thursday’s trip but was replaced at the last minute
OCTOBER 1: Trump walks across the south lawn in-front of the White House last night after returning from New Jersey, hours before testing positive for coronavirus
Trump is 74 years old, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from the virus. A statement from the White House doctor said both the president and first lady are ‘well at this time’ but did not say if either have symptoms.
If Trump becomes seriously ill, there are constitutional procedures that would allow Vice President Pence to assume power temporarily.
But if Trump suffers mild or no symptoms, the president will be able to tout his recovery as evidence that the virus is a less grave threat than many believe.