President Trump tweeted a photo of himself wearing a mask and appealed to patriotism as the United States grapples with the surging coronavirus pandemic.
Trump, who was not seen publicly wearing a face covering until months after the health crisis began, posted the black-and-white picture of himself wearing a dark mask that featured the presidential seal on Monday.
“We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President!” he wrote.
We are United in our effort to defeat the Invisible China Virus, and many people say that it is Patriotic to wear a face mask when you can’t socially distance. There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President! pic.twitter.com/iQOd1whktN
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2020
Trump was photographed wearing a face mask in public for the first time earlier this month during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Some lawmakers and health officials have criticized the president for not being enthusiastic enough about promoting the use of face coverings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield said last week that Trump and Vice President Mike Pence should be wearing masks “to set the example” for others in the country.
Confirmed U.S. cases of COVID-19 have soared beyond 3.8 million, and more than 140,000 people have died since the health crisis began.
