President Trump’s top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, told CNBC Wednesday morning that Trump went to the Oval Office on Tuesday with “extra precautions,” which he said were “much greater than simply masking.”
“The president actually showed up in the Oval Office yesterday with extra precautions,” Kudlow said. He added that “traffic was limited” during the visit.
But White House advisers gave conflicting accounts of Trump’s work after his return from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as he recovers from the coronavirus.
One White House communications aide denied Kudlow’s assertion.
“While the President wanted to be in the Oval Office yesterday, he was not there — he stayed back in the residence working from there. Safety preparations have been underway in the event he moves to working out of the Oval in the coming days,” Ben Williamson tweeted.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday, chief of staff Mark Meadows said he has continued to work alongside Trump in the executive residence and that Trump wanted to go to the Oval Office.
Trump pressed to go to the Oval Office Tuesday and may do so today, Meadows said, adding that the White House has now made arrangements for this, such as providing personal protective equipment and ventilation. Staff members who come in contact with Trump will wear gowns, gloves, masks, and eye protection.
The White House has separated different working groups among staff to try to limit further spread, he said.
“He’s in very good health,” Meadows said. “We’re pleased with his progress.”
Meadows said that he has continued to test negative for the coronavirus despite coming into repeated close contact with Trump.
