It seems like a no-brainer to test Donald Trump for coronavirus. And things sure seemed to be heading in that direction. When CBS News’ Weijia Jiang pressed him on whether he would get tested during his news conference Friday (watch above), he said “most likely… I think I will do it anyway. Fairly soon. We’re working out a schedule.” Then late last night we got word from Trump’s doctor that testing wasn’t currently indicated. The physician to the president released a statement saying despite Trump shaking hands and being in “closer proximity” with people who tested positive he remains low risk (something that is up for debate).
JUST IN: White House puts out memo from Trump's physician saying his exposure to two people who developed coronavirus doesn't require self-quarantine or a test. pic.twitter.com/A0zIXM5gfL
— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) March 14, 2020
Now Trump is contradicting the White House doctor saying he was tested last night after all and expects results in the next day or two.
WATCH: President Trump tells @KellyO that he has now been tested for coronavirus, and he is awaiting the results of the test; he also asks public to work to get out of habit of shaking hands to help avoid spreading coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/ZS2mzZpP0f
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 14, 2020
If you are confused, you aren’t alone.
https://twitter.com/aaronblake/status/1238867912087273473?s=21
Now it’s been revealed that four people who Trump came in contact with have tested positive. The New York Times points out:
Pressure on Mr. Trump to get tested has been growing since he came into contact with Fabio Wajngarten, a top communications aide to President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, who tested positive days after a visit last weekend to Mr. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. At Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Wajngarten participated in meetings with the president and posed for a photograph with Mr. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Two more Brazilian officials who were pictured at an outdoor table with Mr. Trump said Friday night that they had also tested positive for the virus.
This picture was taken last weekend at Mar-a-Lago. The guy in the hat standing next to Trump is Fábio Wajngarten, press secretary for the Brazilian government.
He just tested positive for #coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/dzc75rFqle
— Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@RVAwonk) March 12, 2020
On MSNBC, Mayor Francis Suarez just said that he was asymptomatic when he tested positive for coronavirus.
In his press conference, Trump just said he doesn't have symptoms and that's why he hasn't been tested (as he shook hands with everyone…).
Get this man tested today.
— Ahmed Baba (@AhmedBaba_) March 13, 2020
Vox’s Aaron Rupar opines “Until Trump gets tested and announces he doesn’t have coronavirus the possibility that he is spreading it cannot be ruled out.”