Trump Returns To White House Takes Off Mask Even As Cases Rise Among His Own Staffers

President Donald Trump left the Walter Reed hospital on Monday night and was taken by helicopter back to the White House, taking off his face mask when he arrived back at the White House on Monday night, despite two staffers standing behind him and his still being infected with the coronavirus.

He exited from Marine One after leaving Walter Reed Medical Center, walked up the stairs to the balcony on the South Portico, removed his mask, and waved.

He also offered a salute, seemingly to the helicopter pilots.

It was a shocking move considering the president is still in the infectious period of the disease. His diagnosis was announced early Friday morning.

Two staffers were visible behind him: one filming his arrival back to the executive mansion.

READ ALSO: Trump Is Well Enough To Return To White House – Doctor

His walk up the stairs was no doubt a show of fitness but his flagrant disregard of medical guidelines with his removal of his face mask will add to the criticism he’s faced about how he’s managed his diagnosis.

Also waiting his arrival was trade adviser Peter Navarro, 71, who stood at the entrance waiting for him.

Navarro is himself at elevated risk thanks to his age but he has been an advocate of hydroxychloroquine in the past.