Trump, "Wearing Masks is Patriotic"... Resumes COVID Briefings (Comprehensive)

After Announcing the Resumption Policy of the COVID-19 TF Daily Briefing
Amid Declining Approval Ratings, Suspected Attempt to Shift the Phase Considering Public Criticism Over Not Wearing Masks

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] U.S. President Donald Trump declared that wearing a mask is patriotic and shared a photo of himself wearing a mask on Twitter.

On the 20th (local time), President Trump tweeted that wearing a mask is patriotic and emphasized the need to wear masks to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

He stated, "We are united in our effort to defeat the invisible 'China Virus.' Many say that wearing a mask is patriotic when you cannot socially distance. There is nobody more patriotic than me, your favorite President!" and shared a black-and-white photo of himself wearing a mask.

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

Until recently, President Trump had refused to wear masks and was negative about nationwide mask mandates, but as COVID-19 cases surged in the U.S. and his approval ratings fell, he began wearing a mask in public appearances earlier this month.

President Trump's remark equating 'mask = patriotism' came right after the White House announced it would resume the daily COVID-19 task force briefings. By supporting mask use along with restarting the COVID-19 task force briefings, it is understood that he aims to shift the political atmosphere alongside his de facto election campaign.

According to U.S. media, President Trump told reporters in his office that regarding the recent significant increase in COVID-19 cases in Florida, Texas, and several other areas, "What we need to do is for me to participate and start the briefings."

He said, "It (the briefing) is a good way to inform the public about where we stand on vaccines and treatments," adding, "It will probably start tomorrow." U.S. media also reported that President Trump would begin the briefings the following day.

President Trump also mentioned that his COVID-19 task force briefings broadcast on TV from March to late April "were watched by many people and achieved record ratings in cable TV history."

Since early March, Trump had suspended his election campaign due to the COVID-19 crisis but used the COVID-19 task force briefings as a de facto campaign platform by answering questions on major political issues and topics such as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's health.

However, President Trump halted the briefings after facing serious backlash from his April-end remarks suggesting injecting disinfectants into the human body as a COVID-19 treatment.

This recent decision came immediately after President Trump decided to suspend his election campaign again due to the resurgence of COVID-19, making it highly likely that the daily live TV briefings will be used as an election campaign platform. Although the White House task force briefings resumed on the 27th of last month, they have been led by Vice President Mike Pence, the task force head.

The political media outlet The Hill reported that some White House aides recently argued that President Trump should resume the briefings as his poll numbers dropped and COVID-19 cases increased. The intention is to show that the president is taking a leading role through the briefings.

A Washington Post poll released two days ago showed President Trump trailing Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden by as much as 15 percentage points in approval ratings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.