New Jersey Governor Urges All Attendees Of Thursday’s Bedminster Rally To Get Tested

Just prior to the late Thursday night news breaking of the president and first lady’s coronavirus diagnosis, Trump stopped over in New Jersey to attend a campaign fundraiser event. After traveling all week — at the end of which his staff reported him appearing “exhausted” even before the test came in positive — he attended the fundraiser at his Bedminster golf club. 

Already through contact tracing and rapid subsequent testing, it’s emerged that GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel has tested positive, also as top aides to Trump announce they will self-isolate out of precaution. As of Wednesday “some of Trump’s closest aides sensed on Wednesday that the president was feeling poorly” and seemed “exhausted,” according to Bloomberg reporter Jennifer Jacobs.

And now, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is urging all those who attended the Thursday night Bedminster golf club event to both get tested and self-quarantine. 

We urge everyone who attended yesterday’s event in Bedminster to take full precautions, including self-quarantining and getting tested for #COVID19.

Find your nearest testing location: https://t.co/JZg9mGpUuV.

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) October 2, 2020

“The contact-tracing process is underway. We urge everyone who attended yesterday’s event in Bedminster to take full precautions, including self-quarantining and getting tested,” Murphy said in a statement. 

Gov. Murphy further said, referencing his wife, “Tammy and I send our best wishes to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a speedy and complete return to good health,” according to the statement. “If there is one thing we have learned in New Jersey over these months, it’s that we pull together and support everyone fighting this virus.”

Despite a routine testing regimen having long been in place for those that meet with and surround the president and first lady, there are fears that “dozens” may be infected, as The Hill writes Friday morning:

Just this week, Trump attended the first presidential debate, held meetings with top aides, spoke at a campaign rally and traveled to a fundraiser.

Depending on when Trump was first exposed, dozens of people may be at risk. Trump has repeatedly downplayed the risks of the virus, and he and his staff often do not wear masks. 

The Hill also has produced a detailed timeline of who the president met with and when over the past week, which can be seen here.