Coronavirus: Lone Ranger lookalike Donald Trump says 'face masks are good'
The president has previously said he did not want to "give the press the pleasure of seeing" him wearing a face covering.
Thursday 2 July 2020 09:41, UK
Donald Trump has insisted he would be willing to wear a face mask in public - saying they make him look like the Lone Ranger.
The president has so far refused to be seen wearing a face covering during the coronavirus outbreak, but during an interview with Fox Business he said he would have no problem with the idea.
In fact, he confirmed he has already worn one and liked the way it looked.
He said: "It was okay. It was a dark, black mask. I think I looked okay, I looked like the Lone Ranger.
"I have no problem with it, and if people feel good about it, they should do it."
Mr Trump also confirmed he had worn a face mask during some meetings - but that it was not always necessary because people are tested before they can go near him.
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He added: "I'm all for masks. I think masks are good. If I were in a group of people and I was close. I mean, people have seen me wearing one.
"If I'm in a group of people where we're not, you know, 10ft away, but usually I'm not in that position, and everyone's tested because I'm the president, they get tested before they see me.
"But if I were in a tight situation with people, I would absolutely."
Mr Trump insisted face coverings should not become mandatory to curb the spread of COVID-19, despite the US now having nearly 2.7 million confirmed cases and more than 128,000 deaths.
During a tour of the Ford factory in May, the president refused to wear a face mask for the cameras - even though an official warned he could be banned from visiting Michigan if he did so.
Mr Trump had been told all visitors must wear a face mask at the car maker's sites, but he told reporters: "I had one on before. I wore one in the back area.
"I didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it."