This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 20, 2020, thousands of Trump supporters gathered at a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, amidst growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Despite the campaign's efforts to conduct temperature checks and hand out masks, health experts remained worried that the event could become a breeding ground for the virus, particularly given the recirculated air in the building.
Just hours before the event, the Trump campaign disclosed that six staff members who had been working on the rally had tested positive for the coronavirus during a routine screening.
Two members of the Secret Service in Tulsa also tested positive for the virus, according to sources familiar with the matter.
President Trump, who was informed of the sick campaign aides before departing for the rally, was reportedly incensed that the news was made public.
The rally was part of Trump's efforts to recapture the excitement of his pre-virus campaign rallies, but it seemed unlikely to offer much relief to the president, who has been feeling cooped up during the national lockdown.
As the president flew to Oklahoma, he faced mounting questions about the firing of Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney in Manhattan, whose office had investigated some of Trump's closest allies.
