Trump tested COVID-positive pre-debate, ex-aide says in book

By JILL COLVIN
Associated Press

A book by Donald Trump’s ex-chief of staff says Trump tested positive for COVID-19 three days before his first debate in September 2020 with Joe Biden. Mark Meadows writes that the then-president received a negative test shortly after the positive test and resumed his usual activities, including attending the debate. The claim comes in Meadows’ book, “The Chief’s Chief.” The Guardian obtained it before its official release next week. Trump says he did not have COVID before the debate, and Meadows is echoing Trump’s claim that the story is “fake news.”