PICS: Trump marks Memorial Day, defends decision to play golf

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

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

Published May 25, 2020

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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.

— 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. 

Reuters