Donald Trump Promotes Wearing Masks on Twitter

President Donald Trump on Monday shared an image of himself wearing a mask, noting that many people believed it was “patriotic” to do so.

“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,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “There is nobody more Patriotic than me, your favorite President!”

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

President Trump shared the image on Twitter as government officials continue pressing for more mask mandates to fight the virus.

In an interview with Fox News host Chris Wallace last week, Trump resisted calls for a national mask mandate from Democrats like New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and former Vice President Joe Biden.

“I want people to have a certain freedom, and I don’t believe in that,” Trump said, adding that he did not agree with the idea that if everyone wore a mask the virus would vanish. Trump also said during the interview that he was a “believer in masks” but added that “masks cause problems, too.

First lady Melania Trump also encouraged Americans to wear masks last week, sharing an image on Twitter of herself wearing a mask.

Even in the summer months, please remember to wear face coverings & practice social distancing. The more precaution we take now can mean a healthier & safer country in the Fall. pic.twitter.com/80dGOWIyDJ

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) July 14, 2020

The president resisted wearing a mask in front of the press until July 11, when he visited wounded soldiers at Water Reed hospital.