Remember when Trump…

In July 2020, officials from the Center for Disease Control were blocked by the White House from testifying to the House Education and Labor Committee about school re-openings. The move came amid record-breaking spikes in COVID-19 cases.

The same week, hospitals were ordered to circumvent the CDC and report patient data to a new database controlled by the Department of Health and Human Services. The White House also previously prevented top health official Dr. Anthony Fauci from testifying to Congress.

Fox News – White House blocks CDC boss from testifying on reopening schools amid coronavirus
CNN – White House blocks CDC from testifying on reopening schools next week
USA Today – Reports: White House blocked CDC Director Redfield and other officials from testifying on school reopenings

On June 5, 2020, Trump toured a production facility for medical swabs in Maine amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Trump and his entourage wore no mask or protective covering. The workers present wore extensive personal protection equipment, including lab coats, masks, gloves, goggles, hair coverings and plastic booties.

The company, Puritan Medical Products, said it would discard the swabs that were being manufactured at the time of Trump’s visit. The company’s press release clarified that a limited production was run for the visit, and that it was always intended that what was produced that day would be discarded.

At that time, nasal swabs for specimens were in low supply, and a third of Maine nursing homes reported having none. Sarah Gideon, Democratic candidate for US Senate, criticized any disruption of production for critical medical supplies.

On the day of Trump’s visit, the United States totaled 1,967,359 cases and had suffered 113,798 deaths.

Trump had drawn criticism for visiting medical production facilities in May without a mask. During one he said he wanted to avoid giving the press “the pleasure,” while “Life and Let Die” played over loudspeakers during the other.

USA Today – As Trump touts increased production, coronavirus swabs made during his Maine factory tour will be tossed in the trash
Business Insider – A Maine factory says it will have to discard all coronavirus swabs made during Trump’s factory tour
Snopes – Did a Medical Manufacturer Destroy Swabs After Trump’s Visit?
Worldometer – Coronavirus Cases, United States

On May 5, 2020, Trump toured a Honeywell International plant in Phoenix to visit a Honeywell International plant that manufactured N95 masks amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trump and his entourage did not wear masks, despite workers being required to, and signs directing them to be worn at all times. He later said that he consulted with the CEO ahead of his visit to avoid using one.

Trump’s visit became especially notable when it was pointed out that the Guns N’ Roses song “Live and Let Die” was blaring over the speaks during his visit.

Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses had previously demanded that the Trump administration stop using their music for events.

It’s unknown whether it was chosen by Trump’s entourage, played as an act of rebellion by someone present, or simply came on the radio.

On the day of Trump’s visit, the United States totaled 1,242,114 confirmed cases and suffered 73,691 deaths.

In later tours of factories, Trump also refused to wear a mask. In one instance, he said it was because he didn’t want to “give the press the pleasure.” In another, the facility discarded the day’s product.

The New York Times – Trump Gives Phoenix Mask Factory Visit a Campaign Feel
Reuters – Trump says he did not wear mask at Honeywell facility after consulting CEO
The Guardian – Live and Let Die plays as Trump visits mask factory without a mask
Worldometer – Coronavirus Cases, United States

On May 21, 2020, Trump toured the Michigan Ford Motor factory, which had been repurposed to manufacture ventilators and other medical devices amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite it being policy that a mask was mandatory in the factory by both the company and the state, Trump emerged in front of cameras without one.

When asked why he didn’t wear a mask, Trump explained that he had earlier, but “did not to want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.”

On the day of his visit, the United States had totaled 1,633,721 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and suffered 98,764 deaths.

Without a mask, Trump previously toured a factory manufacturing COVID-19 related equipment while the song “Live and Let Die” played over the loudspeaker. He again later toured a factory without a mask, which then discarded the day’s product.

Chicago Tribune – Maskless Trump visits Michigan Ford plant, despite state and company policy
US News & World Report – Pandemic Politics: Maskless Trump Tours Michigan Ford Plant
Business Insider – Trump wore a mask at a Ford plant behind the scenes but ‘didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it’
Worldometer – Coronavirus Cases, United States

On July 1, 2020, Trump repeated past claims that COVID-19 would “at some point just sort of disappear.”

Trump also claimed in the interview that he had “always been for” masks. However, he long refused to wear a mask, even when touring medical device facilities where it was required. In one such instance, he told the media he purposefully avoided wearing one because he didn’t want “to give the press the pleasure.”

He commented further that he liked how he looked in them, likening it to “the lone ranger.”

On that day, the United States totaled 2,779,719 cases and 130,761 deaths.

Trump downplayed concerns over COVID-19 as it first spread within the United States and throughout the following months.

Axios – Trump says he still thinks coronavirus will “just disappear” at some point
The Independent – Trump again claims coronavirus is ‘going to just disappear’ as US sees record number of new cases
Worldometer – Coronavirus Cases, United States