Trump visits masks factory in Arizona but declines to wear one

White House medical experts promote masks as a crucial tool in fighting the viral spread

Last updated: May 06, 2020 | 09:14

AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

2 MIN READ

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US President Donald Trump visited a mask-making factory in his first major trip since the coronavirus lockdown began - but again refused to wear a face covering himself.

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U.S. President Donald Trump points at a face mask being shown to him by Honeywell's Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain Tony Stallings.

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US President Donald Trump tours a Honeywell International Inc. factory producing N95 masks in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Trump flew all the way to Phoenix, Arizona, to celebrate the workers at a Honeywell plant churning out masks for healthcare workers during the pandemic that has killed about 70,000 Americans so far.

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His audience sat masked in compliance with US government recommendations and their own company rule, which was clearly displayed on a sign in the facility reading: "Please wear your mask at all times."

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Trump had teased as he left Washington that he might finally cover his face, as long as it was what he called a "mask environment."

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Instead, in a short speech given against a backdrop of boxes filled with new masks, Trump kept to his new focus of playing down the dangers from COVID-19 and building up his push to reopen the economy.

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A worker at a Honeywell International Inc. factory producing N95 masks in Phoenix, Arizona.

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White House medical experts and even First Lady Melania Trump promote masks as a crucial tool in fighting the viral spread. But the president, tuned closely into his loyal right-wing base, has used his massive visibility to downplay the need.

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US President Donald Trump speaks to people at a Honeywell International Inc. factory during his first trip since widespread COVID-19 related lockdowns went into effect in Phoenix, Arizona

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Trump looks at an assembly line machine manufacturing protective masks being shown to him by Honeywell's Vice President of Integrated Supply Chain Tony Stallings.

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Trump watches masks being made as he participates in a tour of a Honeywell International plant in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Trump points as he watches workers on the assembly line manufacturing protective masks for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

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Donald Trump and Tony Stallings listens to a worker during a tour of a Honeywell International plant.

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Donald Trump watches manufacturing workers create protective face masks in an assembly line during his visit in Phoenix, Arizona.

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