Trump May Have Been Exposed To COVID-19 But Hasn't Been Tested

President Donald Trump has not been tested for the coronavirus, a White House official confirmed this week. Two Republican lawmakers who had been recent in personal contact with the president are currently in self-quarantine, after potential exposure to the disease

Trump, along with a number of prominent Republican figures, recently attended the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, at the end of February. There, at least one individual was placed under quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19. That person, who has so far remained anonymous, has since tested positive for the coronavirus.

That individual was believed to have come into contact with Reps. Doug Collins, R-Ga., and Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., both of whom are currently in self-quarantine. Both lawmakers were seen with the president after CPAC before going into isolation.

Collins was seen shaking hands with Trump during his visit to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta on Friday, where the congressman welcomed the president on the tarmac at Dobbins Air Reserve Base.

On Monday, Gaetz flew on Air Force One with Trump from Orlando, Fla., where the president had been hosting several reelection fundraisers.

Both congressmen have said that they do not have any symptoms related to the coronavirus and are voluntarily quarantining themselves as a precaution. They will do so for the standard 14-day duration.

White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said that Trump had not been tested “because he has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed COVID-19 patients, nor does he have any symptoms.”

Despite having a known aversion to germs, the president recently said that he hasn’t changed his behavior. Speaking with Fox News, Trump said, “you can’t be a politician and not shake hands. The bottom line is, I shake anybody’s hand now. I’m proud of it.”

Vice President Mike Pence may have also been exposed to the coronavirus after coming into contact with an individual who later tested positive for the disease. He recently stated that he had not been tested and had shown no symptoms, however.