Donald Trump returns to the campaign trail without a mask and feeling ‘powerful’

Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally, his first since being treated for the coronavirus disease, at Orlando Sanford International Airport

Credit: Reuters

President Donald Trump returned to the campaign trail in Florida on Monday for the first time since he announced his Covid-19 diagnosis, appearing at an outdoor rally without a protective mask and touting his management of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Trump tossed out masks to the crowd as he entered the airport rally in Sanford and repeatedly talked about his recovery from Covid-19.

"I went through it now. They say I’m immune. I feel so powerful," Mr Trump told thousands of supporters standing shoulder to shoulder, most without protective masks. "I’ll kiss the guys and the beautiful women. I’ll just give you a big fat kiss."

Mr Trump’s return to his signature campaign rallies kicked off a three-week sprint to Election Day, as new polls showed him losing more ground to Democratic rival Joe Biden in two battleground states that could decide the Nov. 3 contest.

The rally, the first of four planned for this week, showed that Mr Trump had not reshaped his campaign approach since contracting the virus. "If you want to get out there, get out," he told the crowd.

Critics have faulted Mr Trump for failing to encourage supporters at campaign events, and even White House staff, to wear protective masks and abide by social-distancing guidelines.

At least 11 close Trump aides have tested positive for the coronavirus, which has infected more than 7.8 million people in the United States, killed more than 214,000 and put millions out of work.

The rally came hours after the White House said Trump had tested negative for Covid-19 on consecutive days and was not infectious to others. They were the president’s first negative Covid-19 tests announced by the White House since Mr Trump said on Oct. 2 that he contracted the virus.

In a memo, Dr. Sean Conley did not say when the tests were conducted but that they and other clinical and laboratory data "indicate a lack of detectable viral replication".

Mr Biden also tested negative for Covid-19 on Monday, his campaign said in a statement. The former vice president has tested negative a number of times since Mr Trump announced his positive test.