President Trump has made a theatrical return to the White House — removing his mask for photos despite still being contagioushttps://t.co/88fNDqbvt2 pic.twitter.com/CxDS9HZ42k
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) October 6, 2020
From Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis and subsequent stay at Walter Reed National Medical Center to his return to the White House, Trump and his team sought to maintain his masculine image by affirming his toughness and virility. During his stay at Walter Reed, Trump temporarily left the medical center to waive to onlookers from his SUV. Upon his arrival back to the White House, Trump makes a show of walking from Marine One and up the stairs to the south terrace. He then deliberately removes his mask while facing media cameras. Later reports documenting this period note that Trump and his staff downplayed the seriousness of his illness to the public.