Trump ripped off his mask as he waved to the cameras outside the White House on his return from hospital.
People are horrified by the president's apparent indifference to coronavirus. Not only has he repeatedly downplayed it on a national scale, but now that it's affected him personally, he seems to be taking more and more reckless risks.
Having already faced backlash for leaving the Walter Reed Medical Centre to drive-by his supporters, Trump has caused outrage by removing his face mask shortly after being discharged and urging people not to let coronavirus "dominate" them.
Standing on the White House's South Portico, he said:
Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it. I’m better, and maybe I’m immune – I don’t know. Get out there. Be careful.
He then removed his mask after ascending the steps.
People were angry that he could be putting others at risk by removing his mask.
In an effort to show vigor after 4 days in the hospital, Pres Trump climbs the WH balcony steps, and removes his ma… https://t.co/8gmSrUjOwA— Mark Knoller (@Mark Knoller) 1601940740
donald trump is directly putting lives in danger by continuing to minimize this disease even after he got it. you a… https://t.co/JdoFFevR5t— hasanabi (@hasanabi) 1601942853
Given a chance to make amends, a chance to get it right & encourage people to take the virus seriously, to wear mas… https://t.co/pk19VOqiXY— Joyce Alene (@Joyce Alene) 1601946215
.@realDonaldTrump returns to the White House and immediately takes off his mask. I have no words https://t.co/8Arq8atI0M— Andrea Mitchell (@Andrea Mitchell) 1601939452
Wear a mask. https://t.co/TSuLuzAXEB— Joe Biden (@Joe Biden) 1601951220
The internet watched in horror and bemusement as Trump tried to convince us that he's back to business as usual.
@brenonade @hhlouise He will risk his life and everyone in the residence to prove that he’s a tough guy.— THEE Qondi 💛 🐝 🇺🇸🇿🇦🇿🇼 (@THEE Qondi 💛 🐝 🇺🇸🇿🇦🇿🇼) 1601941527
This is why it’s criminal that Trump took off his mask before walking into the White House. https://t.co/pQSBqK2zJs— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@Rex Chapman🏇🏼) 1601957241
How reckless and irresponsible? The first thing President Trump did after his White House return from Walter Reed H… https://t.co/gINxCy3KUw— Derryn Hinch (@Derryn Hinch) 1601948867
Have to admit I was thrown tonight by the hideous display Trump made of himself tonight, taking his mask off at the… https://t.co/EyuseC1zjC— Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷 (@Joy-Ann (Pro-Democracy) Reid 😷) 1601944510
They weren't too impressed by his speech, either.
“I know there’s a risk, there’s a danger, but that’s okay”. Not for the 209,794 American people who have died so f… https://t.co/RxJOwbFbVO— Pippa Crerar (@Pippa Crerar) 1601966559
@realDonaldTrump you are a menace to everyone around you— Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin (@Jennifer 'pro-voting' Rubin) 1601923123
Boy, just think: those 210,000 people who died from COVID-19, all they had to do was to "not be afraid of covid" an… https://t.co/IszpD2f9Ld— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!) 1601950926
@realDonaldTrump “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life.” -Donald Trump This is disgusting an… https://t.co/qn8KYtYF2G— Jules Morgan 🇺🇸🌺 (@Jules Morgan 🇺🇸🌺) 1601923613
Because Trump has a duty to set an example.
At its best the USA sets an example to the world. But at every opportunity Donald Trump does the opposite. This i… https://t.co/0tveSAtCGy— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1601968543
Trump is killing Americans by failing to set an example with masks and social distancing. You are helping him. I do… https://t.co/haDZeAAJJq— David Corn (@David Corn) 1601941219
Now Trump takes off his mask — wonderful Presidential example for children across the country in the midst of a deadly and growing pandemic.— Michael Beschloss (@Michael Beschloss) 1601938765
But instead behaved "recklessly".
This video is reckless as hell. Trump says don’t be afraid. Trump says "get out there," and says people will beat… https://t.co/zi0oOGOSxv— Ahmed Baba (@Ahmed Baba) 1601943017
Quite a contrast from Trump just walking into the White House without a mask earlier. https://t.co/EqcGXiqI3u— Steven Dennis (@Steven Dennis) 1601946982
Never was so much harmed for so many by so few.— Dan Rather (@Dan Rather) 1601948617
If this was supposed to be a show of strength, it certainly backfired.