Trump Relents: Seen Wearing a Mask — How Long Will His Charade Last

Trump at Walter Reed Military Hospital

(Visiting wounded soldiers: July 11)

WASHINGTON — (The AP): Trump finally wore a mask during a visit to a military hospital on Saturday (July 11), the first time he has been seen in public with the type of facial covering recommended by health officials as a precaution against spreading or becoming infected by the novel coronavirus.

Trump flew by helicopter to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in suburban Washington to meet wounded service members and health care providers caring for COVID-19 patients. 

As he left the White House, he told reporters: “When you're in a hospital, especially ... I think it's expected to wear a mask.” 

Trump was wearing a mask in Walter Reed's hallway (photo above) as he began his visit. He was not wearing one when he stepped off the helicopter at the facility.

Trump has been a latecomer to wearing a mask during the pandemic, which has raged across the U.S. since March and infected more than 3.2 million and killed at least 134,000. Most prominent Republicans, including VP Pence have all endorsed wearing masks as the coronavirus gained ground this summer.

Trump, however, has declined to wear a mask at news conferences, coronavirus task force updates, rallies and other public events. People close to him told The AP that he feared wearing a mask would make him look weak and was concerned that it would shift the focus to the public health crisis rather than the economic recovery he hawks frequently.

While not wearing one himself, Trump has sent mixed signals about masks acknowledging that they would be appropriate if worn in an indoor setting where people were close together.

But he has accused reporters of wearing them to be politically correct and has retweeted messages making fun of Democrat Joe Biden for wearing a mask and implying that Biden looks weak.

The wearing of masks became another political dividing line for him and many Republicans more resistant to wearing them than Democrats. 

Few masks were seen at recent Trump campaign events in Tulsa, Phoenix, and during his visit to Mount Rushmore. The only time Trump has been known to wear a mask was during a private part of a tour of a Ford plant in Michigan.

Walter Reed on its official website carries this recommendation: “Whenever you’re out in public, like at your local grocery store or pharmacy, where it’s difficult to maintain 6 feet of social distance, you should wear a cloth face covering. They also note that the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the coronavirus.”

My 2 cents: What despicable man in all aspects of his miserable adult life – that’s all I can say. The vast majority of the public knows all about him more and more each passing day and more so since his niece, Mary Trump, published her “Tell-All” book (5 key passages here - FYI).

He has to be removed from office in November at all costs – but he will pull out all the stops to prevent that – do what you can to help prevent that.

Thanks for stopping by.