“This is voluntary. I don’t think I am going to be doing it,” the president told reporters at Friday's coronavirus task force meeting.
But when the president announced the recommendation at the coronavirus task force press briefing on Friday evening, he emphasized that the mask measure is “voluntary” and went out of his way to say he wouldn’t be complying.
“This is voluntary. I don’t think I am going to be doing it,” he told reporters, according to PBS correspondent Yamiche Alcindor.President Trump: "The CDC is recommending Americans wear a basic cloth or fabric mask."In fact, Alcindor said the president kept reiterating that he would not be covering his face regardless of what his team of experts said.He said: "You can do it. You don't have to it...It may be good...It's only a recommendation...Voluntary.
After reporters pressed the president on why he wouldn’t follow the CDC recommendation, his answer suggested he was more concerned with vanity than the virus:I just don’t want to wear one myself ... I’m feeling good. ... Somehow sitting in the Oval Office ... the great Resolute Desk ... I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, dictators ... I don’t know, I don’t see it.”
Asked why he won't wear a covering, Trump: "I just don't want to wear one myself...I'm feeling good...I just don't want to...somehow sitting in the Oval Office...the great Resolute Desk...I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents...dictators...I dunno, I don't see it."Ironically, the CDC said the mask recommendations were made at the behest of the White House.
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