CHEESY MACHO
Biden blasts ‘tough guy’ Trump for taking off mask after release from hospital
DELUDED Covid-19 carrier Donald Trump whips off his mask as he returns to the White House from hospital, in a move that sparked fury.
The US leader’s defiant display was branded “macho” by presidential rival Joe Biden, who accused him of being responsible for his own illness with his cavalier attitude towards the virus.
Trump struggled for breath as he waved at supporters in a return that was filmed for a cheesy campaign video.
But he continued to play down the dangers of Covid-19, claiming that flu is more lethal.
Despite his doctors warning that he is “not out of the woods yet, last night he tweeted: “Feeling great!”
And he said he is still “looking forward” to holding a debate with Democrat Biden next week, ahead of the US election on November 3.
But Biden blasted Trump for his antics.
He said: “What is this macho thing, ‘I’m not going to wear a mask?’ What’s the deal here? Big deal, does it hurt you?
“Be patriotic for god’s sake. Take care of yourself but take care of your neighbours.
“Anybody who contracts the virus by saying, ‘Masks don’t matter, social distancing doesn’t matter,’ I think is responsible for what happens to them.”
More than 210,000 Americans have died since Covid broke out in the US, with a further 7.5million infected. But Trump brushed off the figures, claiming “many people” die every year from flu.
He tweeted: “Are we going to close down our country?
“No, we have learned to live with it, just like we are learning to live with Covid, in most populations far less lethal.”
Twitter later flagged the comments for “spreading misleading and potentially harmful information”.
The president also gave a salute from the White House, after arriving by helicopter from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he has spent three nights.
He ignored advisers who wanted him to stay longer.
Hours later, he posted a video of his return and boasted: “We’re going back to work. We’re gonna be out front. As your leader, I had to do that.
“I knew there’s a danger to it but I had to do it. I stood out front. I led. Nobody that’s a leader would not do what I did.”
He spoke as the virus ripped through the White House – which has become a hotspot due to lack of social-distancing – with 13 members of staff now infected.
Michelle Obama yesterday accused Trump of “wilful mismanagement” of the crisis.
She also branded him a racist and urged black and young voters not to “waste” their vote.
The former First Lady said Covid- 19 has killed more Americans than the Iraq, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Korean wars combined. She said: “Our commander-in-chief has been missing in action.”
Obama also accused Trump and other Republicans of lying about minorities.
In a direct appeal to voters, she said: “Think about all those folks like me and my ancestors, and have some empathy for what it is like to walk around your own country, scared that someone’s unjustified fear of you may put you in harm’s way.”