Gov. Phil Murphy and first lady Tammy Murphy sent well-wishes to President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump after their positive COVID-19 tests — saying they know it is important to support everyone during the pandemic.
They also said it’s important for everyone who came close to the president during his trip to his golf club in Bedminster on Thursday to get tested — and take all the necessary precautions.
“The contact-tracing process is underway,” the Murphys said in a release and on Twitter. “We urge everyone who attended yesterday’s event in Bedminster to take full precautions, including self-quarantining and getting tested.”
We urge everyone who attended yesterday’s event in Bedminster to take full precautions, including self-quarantining and getting tested for #COVID19.
Find your nearest testing location: https://t.co/JZg9mGpUuV.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) October 2, 2020
Just who that is, is one of the mysteries surrounding the announcement of Trump’s positive COVID-19 test, and his latest trip to the state.
Here’s what we know:
Trump was in New Jersey from approximately 2-5 p.m. Thursday, landing at Morristown Municipal Airport (as he always does) before heading by helicopter to his golf club in Bedminster for a fundraiser.
There, he delivered a speech and talked with supporters for approximately an hour at an event that reportedly netted approximately $5 million.
How Trump acted at the event is up for debate.
Maggie Haberman reported in the New York Times that an attendee said Trump was “lethargic,” but comedian Joe Piscopo told New Jersey Advance Media and NorthJersey.com that Trump looked strong.
Trump announced on Twitter on Friday morning — just after midnight — that he and Melania Trump have tested positive for COVID-19.
Later Friday morning, Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows, told reporters in Washington that the president is experiencing “mild symptoms.” Melania Trump said on Twitter that she has “mild symptoms,” as well.
Still to be determined is how many people Trump may have given COVID-19.
Former Gov. Chris Christie, who helped Trump prepare for his debate with Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden earlier this week, told NJ Advance Media that he will get another COVID-19 test after spending four days with the president.
As far as New Jersey goes, it appears Murphy has little ability — or desire — to get deeply involved in Trump’s trip to the state. In his Friday morning release, he and Tammy Murphy reminded Trump that we’re all in this together.
“Tammy and I send our best wishes to President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump for a speedy and complete return to good health,” the statement said. “If there is one thing we have learned in New Jersey over these months, it’s that we pull together and support everyone fighting this virus.”
Wishing @realDonaldTrump and @FLOTUS a speedy and complete return to good health. https://t.co/T9uiifbee5
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) October 2, 2020
