Abbott was tested for the coronavirus before the meeting, but he did not wear a mask, despite the CDC’s recommendation that everyone wear a covering over their face.
President Donald Trump met with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday at the White House, the president’s first scheduled event since news broke hours before that one of his personal valets had tested positive for the coronavirus.
Trump’s unidentified valet, who is a member of the military, tested positive for the virus that causes Covid-19 on Wednesday. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence have both tested negative for the coronavirus since they learned of the valet’s diagnosis, said a White House spokesman.
The aide, who is now in quarantine, performed personal tasks in proximity to Trump that included serving the president his meals.
Abbott, who is a Republican like Trump and Pence, was tested for the coronavirus shortly before the meeting, according to his spokesman, John Wittman. Neither Abbott nor Trump wore masks at the meeting, as the CDC has recommended for anyone within 6 feet of other people.
During the meeting, Trump also denied having had close contact with the sick valet. « I’ve had very little personal contact with this gentleman, » Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. « I know who he is, good person, but I’ve had very little contact.
