Trump says Rudy Giuliani has COVID-19 days after maskless hearing in Michigan

Days after Rudy Giuliani spoke for hours without a mask at a Michigan legislative hearing, President Donald Trump says his personal attorney has COVID-19. 

"@RudyGiuliani, by far the greatest mayor in the history of NYC, and who has been working tirelessly exposing the most corrupt election (by far!) in the history of the USA, has tested positive for (COVID-19). Get better soon Rudy, we will carry on!!!" Trump tweeted Sunday. 

It was not immediately clear when Giuliani received the positive test or if he was contagious when he spoke in Michigan. However, in a statement late Sunday Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, said Giuliani "has reported" he did not have COVID-19 while in Michigan. 

The speaker did not state how he knew this. 

"Everyone needs to follow the science and do what the experts recommend, instead of simply trying to use Mayor Giuliani’s diagnosis for political ends," Chatfield said in the statement.

Giuliani appeared publicly at large gatherings for weeks without wearing a mask, and joins Trump as one of many within the president's orbit to catch the virus that has plagued the country for months. 

The former mayor of New York City was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center on Sunday, according to USA TODAY and other sources.

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On Wednesday, Giuliani testified before the Michigan House Oversight Committee. Giuliani usurped control of the committee for much of the hearing, questioning witnesses who accompanied him and spreading misinformation about the outcome of the election in the state. 

While many lawmakers on the committee wore masks, some did not. Some, including Chairman Matt Hall, removed their masks at times. Several witnesses who accompanied Giuliani and spectators at the hearing also did not wear masks. 

Hall did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by the Free Press to a spokesman. 

Before Wednesday's legislative hearing, Giuliani conducted a Zoom call for Michigan Republicans with Michigan Republican Party Chairwoman Laura Cox. Giuliani and Cox sat next to each other for some time, neither wearing a mask. 

“The Michigan Republican Party sends out our prayers to Mayor Giuliani, and we wish him a speedy recovery. Chairman Laura Cox and staffers who came into contact with the Mayor during his visit to our headquarters are being tested and all appropriate precautions are being taken,” party spokesman Tony Zammit said Sunday in an emailed statement.

In his statement, Chatfield argued there is no need for the Legislature to conduct contact tracing. That contradicts a statement issued by his office earlier in the day, when a spokesman said the House would conduct normal contact tracing procedures in accordance with CDC guidelines. 

"Mayor Giuliani has reported he was COVID-negative while in Michigan and no one in Michigan is being considered for contact tracing, according to CDC guidelines. Because of his travel and close proximity to the President, Mayor Giuliani is tested often, and he had received two negative tests prior to his Michigan visit," Chatfield said in the statement.

"Unless we receive information to the contrary, the CDC does not recommend a quarantine. We will continue to follow all CDC guidelines." 

Chatfield's statement indicates Giuliani did not have the disease while in Michigan but only points to tests prior to his visit to the state. People who have COVID-19 routinely do not show symptoms and do not test positive within the early stages of having the disease. 

The speaker also argues that even if Giuliani had COVID-19 while in Michigan, no lawmakers or staff came within close proximity of Giuliani for an extended period of time. While Chatfield said he and Hall met briefly before the hearing with the former New York City mayor, Chatfield said both he and Hall wore masks and practiced social distancing. 

While the CDC defines close contact as being within six feet for a total of 15 minutes within 24 hours, there are a series of caveats that could apply to the legislative hearing.

Giuliani did not wear a mask and spoke loudly so he could be heard in the room. The meeting was inside, lasting more than four hours. Length of exposure, shouting, not wearing a mask and ventilation of the room all come under consideration when determining close contact, according to the CDC. 

"People using Mayor Giuliani’s diagnosis for personal or political gain tonight need to stop and follow the science and follow the experts’ recommendations. The House of Representatives will continue to follow the science and the experts on this issue," Chatfield said.

House Minority Leader Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hills, said Giuliani's diagnosis is another sign that mask mandates should be enforced at the statehouse and that lawmakers should be allowed to participate in legislative work remotely.

“As the Coronavirus continues to surge across Michigan and in the House chamber, it is imperative that members and staff who have been exposed get tested and quarantine as recommended by the CDC guidelines. It also is critically important that a mask mandate is enforced for all members during committee meetings and sessions effective immediately," Greig said in a statement emailed late Sunday. 

“The health, safety and well-being of our colleagues and staff must be our foremost priority. Remote participation should be implemented without further delay to enable members to fulfill their legislative duties amid this global pandemic.”

Michigan Democrats joined many others on Twitter to criticize Giuliani's appearance without a mask. 

"Not only was the Rudy show dangerous to our democracy, but it also was a threat to our health," tweeted Rep. Darrin Camilleri, a Brownstown Democrat on the committee who questioned Giuliani. 

"We knew it was a bad idea, but my Republican colleagues in the state legislature pushed on anyway — endangering all of us in that hearing room and the capitol. Time to get tested." 

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Sen. Curtis Hertel, D-Lansing, serves on a COVID-19 committee that Hall also leads. The committee met Thursday morning, hours after Hall's hearing with Giuliani. 

Hertel blasted Giuliani on Twitter, saying Sunday, "apparently Rudy spreads (bull---) and covid."

"If the Rudy Giuliani hearing wasn’t disaster enough, now he has exposed a significant portion of the legislature to Covid," Hertel also tweeted. 

At least 11 Michigan lawmakers have either confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. In March, Rep. Isaac Robinson, D-Detroit, died from suspected coronavirus complications. 

Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.