Is Trump a superspreader? The web of contacts the President has met over the last seven days - including eight flights, two helicopter rides, three rallies, one presidential debate... and hardly any masks

 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 Thursday 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

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: 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

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. 

SEPTEMBER 25: U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force Once at the end of a campaign rally at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport

SEPTEMBER 25: U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force Once at the end of a campaign rally at Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport

SEPTEMBER 25: White House counsellor to the president Hope Hicks arrives at a Trump campaign rally in Newport News, Virginia. The news that the president had tested positive came after Hicks contracted the virus in the last week

SEPTEMBER 25: White House counsellor to the president Hope Hicks arrives at a Trump campaign rally in Newport News, Virginia. The news that the president had tested positive came after Hicks contracted the virus in the last week

A week ago - on Friday, September 25 - Trump travelled to Newport News, Virginia for a campaign rally on Air Force One. Hope Hicks travelled with him, and was seen disembarking Air Force One.

The following day, 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 harden with Coney Barrett and members of her family, along with the First Lady.

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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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

SEPTEMBER 27: Trump holds a news briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, which was followed by a reception for Gold Star Families

Later that day, Trump travelled 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. 

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. 

On Sunday, September 27, the president had a relatively quiet day. Around midday, he visited the National Golf Club in Potomac Falls, Virginia, before holding a press conference in the evening followed by a reception for Gold Star Families. 

The following day - September 28 - The President gave an update on the country's coronavirus testing strategy alongside Vice President Mike Pence before meeting 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: 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: 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

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

On September 29th, Trump travelled with the First Lady, Melania Trump, to Cleveland, Ohio for the first televised presidential debate ahead of the election next month. 

Before boarding Marine One, the president was pictured mask-less while waving to crowds of supports while walking alongside the First Lady on the south lawn.

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. 

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: 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: Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make their way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland

SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump make their way to board Air Force One before departing from Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland

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: 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 first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One as they depart Washington on campaign travel to participate in the first presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump board Air Force One as they depart Washington on campaign travel to participate in the first presidential debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden participate in their first 2020 presidential campaign debate in Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden participate in their first 2020 presidential campaign debate in Cleveland, Ohio

SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump stands on stage with first lady Melania Trump after the first presidential debate with Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden

SEPTEMBER 29: Donald Trump stands on stage with first lady Melania Trump after the first presidential debate with Democratic presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden

SEPTEMBER 29: First lady Melania Trump stands with President Donald Trump as he looks at Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden as he is hugged by his wife Jill Biden during the first presidential debate at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University

SEPTEMBER 29: First lady Melania Trump stands with President Donald Trump as he looks at Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden as he is hugged by his wife Jill Biden during the first presidential debate at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University

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 30th saw Ivanka Trump share a picture on her Instagram account of her with her father on Air Force One, and later that day the president held another campaign rally, this time in Deluth, Minnesota. 

On the way to the rally, Hope 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 to the rally.

There, he was seen in front of a large crowd of people not wearing masks, and threw a hat to people in the crowd.  

SEPTEMBER 30: Ivanka Trump poses with her father on Air Force One the day after the presidential debate

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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

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

Yesterday, the day Trump would later announce his positive test result, Ivanka was pictured visiting Charlotte, North Carolina and mingling with members of the public.

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.

Trump himself 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. 

OCTOBER 1: President Donald Trump walks from Marine One towards Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base

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

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

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: 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: Ivanka Trump makes candy floss at a store in Charlotte, North Carolina, a day after posing with her father aboard Air Force One

OCTOBER 1: Ivanka Trump makes candy floss at a store in Charlotte, North Carolina, a day after posing with her father aboard Air Force One

Hicks is said to have first felt unwell returning from a rally in Minnesota on the president's plane Wednesday evening. She was quarantined away from others on the plane and her diagnosis was confirmed Thursday, according to an administration official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. 

Despite this, Trump continued with his schedule on Thursday and travelled to and from his Bedminster, New Jersey golf resort to take part in two campaign events. He flew back to the White House yesterday evening, when it was publicly confirmed Hicks had the virus.

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.

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.  

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: 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: Marine One arrives at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey ahead of a fundraiser in which the president took part in round-table discussions with supporters

OCTOBER 1: Marine One arrives at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey ahead of a fundraiser in which the president took part in round-table discussions with supporters

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

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

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.

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.'

Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and looked to be in good health.

Is Trump a superspreader? The web of contacts the President has met over the last seven days - including eight flights, two helicopter rides, three rallies, one presidential debate... and hardly any masks Is Trump a superspreader? The web of contacts the President has met over the last seven days - including eight flights, two helicopter rides, three rallies, one presidential debate... and hardly any masks Reviewed by Your Destination on October 02, 2020 Rating: 5

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