Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Saturday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus, the latest high-profile ally to President Donald Trump diagnosed in the past 48 hours.
“I just received word that I am positive for COVID-19,”
Later in the day, the former Republican governor and 2016 presidential candidate said he checked himself into Morristown Medical Center after consulting with his doctors.
"While I am feeling good and only have mild symptoms, due to my history of asthma we decided this is an important precautionary measure," he wrote in
Christie told ABC on Friday he visited the White House “off and on” between last Saturday and Tuesday as he helped the president prep for his debate against Joe Biden.
During the ABC interview, Christie said no one wore masks during debate prep. He also said he’d tested negative for Covid-19 on Tuesday but would get retested after the president’s diagnosis became public early Friday.
One of Trump’s sojourns this week included a private fundraiser at his Bedminster resort in New Jersey Thursday. It was after this trip that it was disclosed that presidential aide Hope Hicks, who traveled with Trump this week, had tested positive for the coronavirus.
But Republican leaders in New Jersey who attended the Bedminster fundraiser gave no indication they saw Christie at that event.
Other Republicans have released positive coronavirus tests in the 24 hours, including Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who also announced Saturday morning. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is delaying the chamber’s return to Washington from Oct. 5 to Oct. 19.
Matt Friedman contributed to this report.