The Irish Mail on Sunday

That’s certainly not two metres, Mr President!

- By Nick Craven

SHAKING hands on the 18th green while standing just feet away from his partner, this was US President Donald Trump back on the golf course yesterday – displaying his usual contempt for social distancing.

Neither Mr Trump, famously sensitive about wearing a mask, nor his playing partners wore face coverings during their round at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, a short drive from Washington DC.

And despite the fact that his country has suffered more coronaviru­s deaths than any other, the only PPE the president sported was a white cap to protect him against the sun.

Ironically, it was only in recent days that a photo finally emerged of Mr Trump wearing a face mask while on a visit to a Michigan factory.

The blue mask had its own presidenti­al seal. Michigan’s attorney general called Mr Trump a ‘petulant child’ because he refused to wear the mask in front of the media during a tour of the Ford car plant. Surrounded by Ford executives all wearing protection, Mr Trump told reporters: ‘I had one on before. I wore one in the back area. I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it.’

But state attorney general Dana Nessel said of Trump’s media stance: ‘The president is like a petulant child who refuses to follow the rules. This is not a joke.’

It was the first time Mr Trump had returned to his beloved golf course since March when the lockdown began.

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 ??  ?? CLOSE ENCOUNTER: Donald Trump shakes hands, ignoring social distancing rules. Inset above: The President takes a golf cart ride during his round in Virginia
CLOSE ENCOUNTER: Donald Trump shakes hands, ignoring social distancing rules. Inset above: The President takes a golf cart ride during his round in Virginia

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