Politico on Saturday reported that Trump ally Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. had contracted COVID-19, a claim the lawmaker said was false.
"This is false. You are a terrible journalist without a single source. I have the antibodies, not the virus. Zero symptoms," Gaetz tweeted to Politico reporter Jake Sherman.
"You are fake news. What people Jake? The media has turned lying into an art form. And they rarely get called on their bulls--t."
Gaetz would be the latest official in Trump’s circle to become infected with the virus after a string of outbreaks in the West Wing – White House chief of staff Mark Meadows earlier this week told people after Tuesday’s election that he had contracted COVID-19.
Cassidy Hutchinson, one of Meadows’s closest aides, and senior Trump campaign aide, Nick Trainer, is also infected, according to Bloomberg.
Meadows, who tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, traveled with President Donald Trump aboard Air Force One Sunday and Monday and also accompanied Trump on a visit to his campaign headquarters on Tuesday.
Additionally, he attended a White House election night party. He was not seen wearing a mask during any of those engagements.
Trump, his wife, Melania, and his youngest son, Barron, have all been infected by the virus. Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, and other aides tested positive for the virus late last month, shortly before the election.
More than 9.83 million people in the U.S. have been infected with COVID-19. At least 237,000 people have died.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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