US Senate candidate recounts Trump's NJ fundraiser

A U.S. Senate candidate from New Jersey attended the private fundraiser at President Trump's Bedminster, New Jersey golf resort.

"I was not in direct contact with the president," Rik Mehta said. "It was all outdoors. There were no tents. It was completely open space."

The president attended the event Thursday after being told his close aid Hope Hicks had tested positive for COVID-19.

"We were 30, 40 feet away," Mehta said. "I've gotten a lot of questions whether I'll quarantine, my response is 'Why would I?'"

Mehta described the event as following social distancing guidelines, but said "out of an abundance of caution, I'll go get tested."

"He was asking questions from the podium. He wasn't walking around shaking hands, and neither were we," he added. "So there really isn't any good reason to."

Several aides who were in close proximity with Hicks scrapped plans to accompany Trump.

White House officials say they learned of Hicks' positive test soon after Trump boarded Marine One to start his journey to New Jersey.

Trump tweeted shortly before 1 a.m. Friday that he and the first lady had tested positive for the virus.

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