Trump tested positive for Covid few days before Biden debate, chief of staff says in new book

Trump, Meadows says in the book, returned a negative result from a different test shortly after the positive.

Trump announced he had Covid on 2 October. The White House said he announced that result within an hour of receiving it. He went to hospital later that day.

But as Marine One lifted off, Meadows writes, the White House doctor called.

In his book, Meadows does not mention that Trump also held a press conference indoors, in the White House briefing room, the same day.

The White House had still not told the public Trump tested positive and then negative two days before.

The host, Chris Wallace of Fox News, later said Trump was not tested before the debate because he arrived late. Organisers, Wallace said, relied on the honor system.

The White House had not said Trump had tested positive and negative three days before.

Three days later, on 2 October, Trump announced by tweet that he and his wife, Melania Trump, were positive.

That evening, Meadows helped Trump make his way to hospital. During his stay, Meadows helped orchestrate stunts meant to show the president was in good health. Trump recovered, but it has been reported that his case of Covid was much more serious than the White House ever let on.