On Friday, President Trump said that he gave the officials an option to wear masks during a Rose Garden ceremony which is focused on the development of coronavirus vaccine.
During the ceremony, Trump was not wearing any mask just like Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Defense Secretary Mark Esper. The members of the White House coronavirus task forces Deborah Birx and Anthony Fauci were both wearing masks.
He was asked why some officials wore the face covers and others did not, to which Trump replied that everyone was tested for the virus and they are all socially distanced, so there was no need.
“We have all been tested. I’ve been tested. We’re quite a distance away and we’re outdoors. I gave them the option. They could wear it or not. So you can blame it on me,’’ said Trump.
Wearing masks was recommended in April bt the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Trump was criticized for not wearing it, but White House officials confirm that he is tested every day and there was no need for him to wear the mask.
“He is very protected, he tests negative daily and that is his personal choice,” said White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Friday.
According to The Hill, Trump has not donned a mask in public appearances at the White House or during his two major trips outside Washington D.C. amid the pandemic. On Thursday, Trump was seen without a mask while touring a medical equipment distributor in Pennsylvania while other officials with him wore masks.
During his trip to a Honeywell mask plant in Arizona, Trump was talking with the reporters as he said that he was informed by company officials that he didn’t need to wear one at the factory, even though signs on display instructed employees to wear them. Trump said he briefly put on a mask when he was out of view of reporters.
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