Starting from the 12th in Florida, a three-day consecutive public event is expected next week
[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] U.S. President Donald Trump held a public event at the White House for the first time since testing positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
According to U.S. media on the 10th (local time), President Trump held an event in the White House South Lawn in the afternoon under the theme of 'law and order' and gave a speech in front of his supporters. On this day, President Trump chose to deliver his speech standing on the White House balcony, keeping a distance from the crowd.
He appeared wearing a mask, then removed it and said, "I feel good," before starting his speech. During the approximately 18-minute speech, President Trump emphasized 'law and order' and focused on attacking Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, targeting races and classes beyond his main white supporter base.
On this day, he criticized, "Black and Latino Americans reject the radical socialist left," and said that although the Democrats have ruled almost all urban areas in the U.S., they have only brought disaster, poverty, and hardship. He added, "Sleepy Joe Biden has betrayed Black and Latino Americans," and said, "If you think he can run this country, you are mistaken." He also said, "If the left gains power, they will start a nationwide anti-law enforcement movement."
President Trump emphasized about COVID-19, "A vaccine will be available soon," and "The virus will disappear." He also clearly expressed his intention to resume the election campaign. He said, "We cannot let our country become a socialist nation, so we will start a very, very big rally."
This was five days after President Trump was discharged from Walter Reed Military Hospital on the 5th and returned to the White House. White House physician Sean Conley stated late that night, "President Trump has met the CDC's criteria for discontinuing isolation," and "There is no longer evidence of active viral replication."
However, U.S. media reported that although President Trump appeared relatively healthy, he had a bandage on his hand that looked like it was from an intravenous line, and his voice was still somewhat hoarse. According to the U.S. media outlet Politico, the number of attendees was about 500, fewer than the 2,000 invited, and although most wore masks, they gathered closely without social distancing, cheering for President Trump.
The Trump campaign reportedly plans to resume large-scale rallies starting with this event, holding rallies on the 12th in Orlando, Florida, on the 13th in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and on the 14th in Des Moines, Iowa. Due to trailing candidate Biden in polls and being restricted by COVID-19, a desperate President Trump intends to hold rallies for three consecutive days early next week.
In particular, Florida is a key battleground state with the largest number of electoral votes (29) among major swing states. Pennsylvania, which has 20 electoral votes, is also considered by many experts as the top battleground state. Pennsylvania is a Biden stronghold with Scranton city, Biden's hometown, and in the 2016 presidential election, President Trump won by a margin of 0.7 percentage points.
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