Trump aide Hope Hicks tests positive for the coronavirus: reports

Trump aide Hope Hicks tests positive for the coronavirus: reports
Office of the President of the United States / Public domain
Cody Fenwick
October 02, 2020

Hope Hicks, a top aide to President Donald Trump, has tested positive for the coronavirus, Bloomberg News reported first on Thursday.

"There was no indication that the president has contracted the virus, the people said," reporters Jennifer Jacobs and Jordan Fabian wrote. "Hicks traveled with Trump aboard Air Force One to and from the presidential debate on Tuesday."

Shortly after the news broke, the New York Times' Maggie Haberman confirmed the report.

Monic Alba of NBC News noted that Hicks had been recently photographed leaving Air Force One without a mask.

Trump has previously come into contact with people who were later found to have been infected with the virus. In March, he interacted with a Brazilian official who tested positive. National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien was also found to have contracted the virus that causes COVID-19 in July.

At Tuesday's presidential debate, former Vice President Joe Biden criticized Trump for not taking the virus seriously enough and for continuing to hold large rallies, which risk major outbreaks. Trump falsely claimed that the events have only been held outdoors, though he has in fact held indoor rallies which pose a much greater risk. Following an indoor Trump rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, attendee and former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain was hospitalized for COVID-19 and subsequently died from the infection.

Report typos and corrections to: feedback@alternet.org.

Enjoy this piece?

… then let us make a small request. AlterNet’s journalists work tirelessly to counter the traditional corporate media narrative. We’re here seven days a week, 365 days a year. And we’re proud to say that we’ve been bringing you the real, unfiltered news for 20 years—longer than any other progressive news site on the Internet.

It’s through the generosity of our supporters that we’re able to share with you all the underreported news you need to know. Independent journalism is increasingly imperiled; ads alone can’t pay our bills. AlterNet counts on readers like you to support our coverage. Did you enjoy content from David Cay Johnston, Common Dreams, Raw Story and Robert Reich? Opinion from Salon and Jim Hightower? Analysis by The Conversation? Then join the hundreds of readers who have supported AlterNet this year.

Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure AlterNet remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to AlterNet, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.

Close
Copy link
@2020 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.
alternet logo

Tough Times

Demand honest news. Help support AlterNet and our mission to keep you informed during this crisis.