Our live blog will be updated throughout the day. For updates in your inbox, sign up for The Daily Briefing. TULSA, Okla. – President Donald Trump called the…
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TULSA, Okla. – President Donald Trump called the crowds gathering for his high stakes rally in Tulsa « unbelievable » as he departed the White House on Saturday, but didn’t respond to shouted questions about the six staffers on his campaign who have tested positive for coronavirus.
« The event in Oklahoma is unbelievable. The crowds are unbelievable, » Trump said, umbrella in hand, before boarding Marine One to begin his journey to Tulsa. « We’re going to see a lot of great people…and pretty much that’s it. »
Supporters have been gathering for days outside the 19,000-seat BOK Center for the rally, which marks Trump’s return to the campaign trail after a three-month hiatus because of the pandemic. Public health officials have raised concerns about the event, perhaps the largest indoor gathering in the U. S. since the virus hit.
Trump did not address reports that six staffers working to organize the rally had tested positive for the virus and are now in quarantine. The campaign has said those staffers will not attend the event.
« See you in Oklahoma, » he said.
– John Fritze
Six staffers working to organize President Donald Trump’s campaign rally here have tested positive for the coronavirus, a development that is likely to increase concerns about the safety of the massive and high-profile indoor event.
Trump’s campaign said Saturday that quarantine procedures were implemented for the staffers and that neither the aides nor anyone they came into contact with will take part in the event.
“Per safety protocols, campaign staff are tested for COVID-19 before events. Six members of the advance team tested positive out of hundreds of tests performed, and quarantine procedures were immediately implemented,” Tim Murtaugh, the communications director for Trump’s campaign, said in a statement.
“No COVID-positive staffers or anyone in immediate contact will be at today’s rally or near attendees and elected officials,” the statement read. “As previously announced, all rally attendees are given temperature checks before going through security, at which point they are given wristbands, face masks and hand sanitizer.”
Public health officials have raised concerns for several days that the rally could become a “super spreader” event because it will involve thousands of people standing shoulder to shoulder inside an area, the BOK Center in Tulsa.
Trump campaign officials and the White House have dismissed those concerns, noting that masks would be distributed.
