The Independent employs journalists from around the world to bring you truly independent journalism. To support us, consider a contribution.
The White House canceled the weekend planned by Donald Trump at his Bedminster golf complex amid New Jersey’s request that travelers who have visited states with coronavirus spikes self-quarantine for 14 days.
Trump recently visited Arizona, which has seen an increase in cases and hospitalizations, and a county in Wisconsin on Thursday that his state government says has a “high” Covid-19 activity level.
White House officials declined to disclose why the trip was canceled just a few hours before the president left the White House on Marine One.
Download the new Independent Premium app
Share the full story, not just the headlines
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, along with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced Wednesday that each state would “invite” travelers to their states from those with a large number of cases of coronavirus quarantined for 14 days. Arizona is on that list.
When asked if that was the reason the golf resort weekend was removed, White House spokesman Judd Deere replied, “It has nothing to do with it.”
Trump visited Arizona earlier this week amid a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths there. The state health department reported a one-day record of 3,591 cases on Tuesday.
The department also reported 1,795 new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday morning, about half of the single-day record from the previous day of 3,591.
White House aides earlier this week defended the president’s trip to Covid states and counties, saying they adhere to all local security policies even after nearly 10 campaign employees contracted the highly contagious virus. before Trump returned to the campaign Saturday night with a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where cases were emerging.
“The President of the United States is not a civilian,” Deere said earlier this week. “Anyone very close to him, including staff, guests, and the press, is tested for Covid-19 and confirmed to be negative.”
.
