US President Donald Trump, trailing his rival in opinion polls, returned to the campaign trail on Monday for the first time since he announced his COVID-19 diagnosis.
Trump arrived at the outdoor rally in Sanford, Florida, the first of six planned for this week, without a protective mask.
He tossed out masks to thousands of supporters standing shoulder to shoulder, most without protective face coverings, and repeatedly talked about his recovery from the coronavirus.
“I will kiss everyone in that audience, I will kiss the guys and the beautiful women, I will give you a big fat kiss.”
Trump’s return to his signature campaign rallies kicked off a three-week sprint to the Nov. 3 election.
The Republican president, 74, is seeking to change the dynamics of a race that national opinion polls and some key state polls show he is losing to Biden, who is 77.
The airport rally in Sanford indicated that Trump had not reshaped his campaign approach or outlook since contracting the coronavirus, which has infected more than 7.8 million people in the United States, killed more than 214,000 and put millions out of work.
He told supporters that coronavirus safety lockdowns had done great damage to the economy and were too drastic.
“It’s risky, but you gotta get out,” he told supporters, who chanted: “We love you.”
Critics have faulted Trump for failing to encourage supporters at campaign events, and White House staff, to wear protective masks and abide by social-distancing guidelines.
At least 11 close Trump aides have tested positive for the virus.
As Trump was holding his rally, top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci told CNBC the United States faced a “whole lot of trouble” if it did not encourage the universal wearing of face masks and avoid mass gatherings. (AFP)
