Arlington, Virginia./Baltimore - President
Donald Trump paid tribute to fallen members of the American
military on Monday to mark Memorial Day while defending his
decision to spend most of the holiday weekend playing golf as
the US death toll from the coronavirus outbreak neared
100 000.
"Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside
and perhaps, even a little exercise, I played golf over the
weekend. The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a
mortal sin - I knew this would happen!," Trump tweeted, saying
this was the first time he had played in nearly three months.
Before becoming president, Trump had repeatedly criticized
his predecessor, Democratic President Barack Obama, for playing
golf, including during the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
The United States has more than 1.6 million infections, the
highest in the world, while forecast models for possible
Covid-19 deaths predict the death toll will exceed 100,000 by
June 1. But almost all 50 states have begun relaxing their
coronavirus restrictions.
Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside and perhaps, even a little exercise, I played golf over the weekend. The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin - I knew this would happen! What they don’t say is that it was my first golf in almost...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
Trump, a Republican who is running for re-election in
November, is eager to have the pandemic-stricken economy in at
least somewhat better shape by the fall to bolster his chances
of staying in the White House.
He has also stepped up his travel schedule in recent weeks.
On Monday, he visited Arlington National Cemetery for a
wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He,
Vice President Mike Pence and their spouses did not wear masks
during the ceremony, along with military officers and enlisted
personnel who took part. Trump has largely been reluctant to don
a mask throughout the pandemic.
President Donald Trump stands after placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, in honour of Memorial Day in Arlington, Virginia. Picture: Alex Brandon/AP
"In recent months, our nation and the world have been
engaged in a new form of battle against an invisible enemy," he
said in a speech at the Fort McHenry National Monument and
Historic Shrine in Baltimore.
President Donald Trump speaks during a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP
Trump has also been urging state governors to reopen their
economies and encouraging Americans to restart activities that
have been shuttered because of the pandemic.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP
On Friday he told governors to allow places of worship to
reopen over the weekend and threatened, without explaining what
authority he would use, to overrule them if they declined.