Trump Delivers First Speech Since COVID-19 Hospitalization, Hundreds Attend White House ‘BLEXIT’ Event

President Donald Trump delivered his first public speech since his COVID-19 diagnosis just nine days ago. As hundreds gathered on the White House South Lawn, the event seemed to closely resemble that of Amy Coney Barrett‘s Supreme Court nomination ceremony at the Rose Garden just two weeks ago. Similarly, those in attendance at today’s event were seen not social distancing and many were without masks.

In his 18-minute speech, Trump emphasized the power of law enforcement, claiming that if the Democratic Party gains power, they will fight against the police. Trump asserted that the left is concerned with slashing funds for the police, despite Democratic candidate Joe Biden having repeatedly opposed the idea of defunding the police and instead proposing a $300 million increase in federal funding for community policing. He also stated confidently that a COVID-19 vaccine “is coming out very, very quickly” in “record time.”

The campaign rally, which seemed to be disguised as a White House event, was aimed at encouraging black and Latino Americans to cast their votes for the incumbent. The event was coordinated with Candace Owens‘ BLEXIT group that encourages African Americans to leave the Democratic Party. “Every day more black and Latino Americans are leaving behind left-wing politicians and their failed ideology,” Trump stated proudly on Saturday. Attendees were seen wearing blue BLEXIT shirts and red MAGA hats.

According to CDC guidelines, patients with a mild form of the virus are infectious for up to 10 days, but those with more severe forms could remain infectious for up to 20 days. Trump, who was first tested positive only 9 days ago and who may not have had a negative COVID-19 test since his diagnosis, could still very well be contagious. And yet, he proceeded to hold an event with hundreds of supporters, many of whom come from groups that have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.