Update (0850ET): Eamon Javers of CNBC says that his WH sources are telling him that Mnuchin won’t be quarantining due to his negative COVID-19 test and limited contact with Trump in recent days.
Trump has one “event” on his calendar for Friday, Javers reminds us. The world will be watching to see if he can get through it.
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Update (0825ET): Markets will surely be relieved to learn that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has also tested negative for the virus.
Mnuchin spokeswoman Monica Crowley affirmed that Mnuchin had tested negative on Friday, and that he would continue to be tested daily in keeping with existing protocols.
As part of regular protocols, Secretary @stevenmnuchin1 has been tested daily for COVID-19. He tested negative for COVID-19 this morning and will continue to be tested daily.
— Monica Crowley (@TreasurySpox) October 2, 2020
The Treasury Secretary also wished President Trump a speedy recovery.
Wishing President @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS Melania Trump a speedy recovery! 🇺🇸
— Steven Mnuchin (@stevenmnuchin1) October 2, 2020
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In what will undoubtedly be taken as good news by the market, Vice President Mike Pence’s office just confirmed that both the VP and the second lady, Karen Pence have tested negative for COVID-19.
NEW: VP Pence & Second Lady have tested NEGATIVE for COVID-19, via VP’s Press Secretary @devin_omalley
“This morning, Vice President Pence and the Second Lady tested negative for COVID-19. Vice President Pence remains in good health and wishes the Trumps well in their recovery” pic.twitter.com/wlP5rmn7IB
— Amanda Golden (@amandawgolden) October 2, 2020
Pence’s last known interaction with Trump apparently occurred on Tuesday before the debate, when the two met in the Oval Office.
Notable: Pence told a crowd Tuesday he had been in the Oval with Trump earlier in the day. It appears that was their last known in-person interaction. https://t.co/ZyJB3aRQQ6
— Monica Alba (@albamonica) October 2, 2020
Of course, there have been instances where people who have contracted the virus don’t test positive for several days, and both will likely continue to be tested in the coming days, since the incubation period is up to 14 days, with a median of about 4 to 5 days.
The White House just added that it will keep staffers for the president and the vice president separate in the coming days.
Hope Hicks, the senior Trump advisor who initially tested positive Thursday, setting off the latest West Wing outbreak scare, has reportedly been in contact with more than 20 other staffers.
As we noted earlier, Biden is expected to be tested Friday morning. We expect those results will be in soon.
With Pence “safe” – for now, at least – the MSM is turning its attention to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who met with Trump early Wednesday before meeting with Democratic leaders, including Nancy Pelosi, on Capitol Hill later in the day.
Mnuchin met with Trump early Wednesday, then met with Pelosi for 90 mins @USTreasury not responding to questions about Mnuchin quarantining or getting tested https://t.co/eE0RJRbQqc
— Saleha Mohsin (@SalehaMohsin) October 2, 2020
Which means there’s a chance that both the Democratic and Republican leadership might be sickened before the election.
