BEDMINSTER, N.J. (WCBS 880) — State health officials in New Jersey are contacting more than 200 people who attended last Thursday's campaign fundraiser with President Donald Trump in Bedminster, hours before he announced he has COVID-19.
The officials say the White House sent them a list of 206 guests.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy believes it was reckless for the president to host donors from all across the country at his Bedminster golf course, even after he learned an aide had coronavirus.
"I think people have a right to be upset and angry," Murphy told "CBS This Morning" on Monday. "The thing that should've happened is nobody should've come to New Jersey. That trip should've been canceled."
During an afternoon briefing, Murphy said that event was "completely unacceptable, completely reckless and completely uncalled for."
The governor said it's been complicated conducting contact tracing.
"We ultimately got a list of attendees on Friday. By the way, it's a group of folks who are nationally based, not just in New Jersey," Murphy said. "We've got staff members of the club that we're contact tracing with here. We've done everything and we continue to do everything we can. We need more out of the federal side of this."
Murphy said they have emails for most of the 206 attendees, and responses have been a mixed bag, but phone numbers and addresses would be more helpful.
"We need more, we needed not that trip not to happen, number one, and number two we need more," Murphy said.
Somerset County officials are reaching out to the 19 employees who worked the event. They say most of them live in the county.
"Anybody who was associated with that fundraiser, regardless of where they live, have got to take themselves off the field," Murphy said.
White House spokesman Judd Deere says the president had no contact with any donors or staff that "would be considered to be 'close' based on CDC guidelines."
The event itself could also be investigated for violating Murphy's rules on indoor gatherings and buffets.
"Any failures to comply with our emergency orders will be referred to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal for follow up," Murphy said.
Meanwhile, Murphy said he communicated with former Gov. Chris Christie over the weekend and wished him well as he is treated for coronavirus at Morristown Medical Center.
"The governor and I exchanged notes over the weekend, he knows we're here for him," Murphy said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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