Trump news: President attacks ‘unscientific lockdowns’ and slams Biden in White House speech

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US President Donald Trump speaks about law and order from the South Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on October 10, 2020. - Trump spoke publicly for the first time since testing positive for Covid-19, as he prepares a rapid return to the campaign trail just three weeks before the election. (AFP via Getty Images)

President Donald Trump delivered a major speech from the White House balcony after inviting a reported 2,000 attendees to his first in-person event since it was revealed he tested positive for Covid-19. 

His second TV debate with rival Joe Biden has been cancelled, however, after the president refused to participate.

Meanwhile, Dr Deborah Birx, one of the nation’s leading physicians, said Covid-19 was now spreading among Americans at social events — including family gatherings — where people are “taking their mask off and letting down their guard”.

Check out The Independent’s coverage below:

Key Points

• Biden criticises president’s decision to resume campaigning
• Trump cancels second TV debate with rival Biden
• President prepares to make address from White House balcony

[10 October 2020 18:45 · Chris Riotta]

ICYMI: Eric Trump’s spin on his father’s debate refusal leaves Twitter bewildered

Eric Trump really spun himself into a confusing web with this one.

The first son and campaign surrogate to his father, President Donald Trump, attacked former Vice President Joe Biden in a tweet on Thursday that appeared to refute reality — and which quickly sparked bewilderment online.

More here:

[10 October 2020 18:55 · Chris Riotta]

Trump to host first in-person event since Covid-19 diagnosis 

The president is expected to greet a crowd of an estimated 2,000 people from the White House balcony at 2:00 p.m., his first public event since contracting the novel virus responsible for more than 210,000 deaths across the country this year. 

We’ll bring you live updates as they come in. Stay tuned for more.

[10 October 2020 19:02 · Chris Riotta]

Trump greeted with cheers of support during White House balcony speech

The president was met with thunderous applause from his supporters during his first in-person event at the White House after contracting Covid-19. 

“We call this a peaceful protest,” he said to cheers.

[10 October 2020 19:07 · Chris Riotta]

Trump lambasts Biden during White House speech

The president is railing against the Democratic Party and claiming the former vice president refused to say “law enforcement” during the first presidential debate. 

His crowd is cheering “four more years.”

[10 October 2020 19:09 · Chris Riotta]

Live: Footage from the White House as Trump delivers first speech since reports revealed he tested positive for Covid-19

[10 October 2020 19:13 · Chris Riotta]

Trump immediately accused of lying in White House speech

[10 October 2020 19:33 · Chris Riotta]

Dr Scott Atlas seen mask-less at Trump speech

As the president delivered his speech to as many as 2,000 supporters on the White House lawn, the member of the White House coronavirus response task force known for his opposition to national lockdowns was seen without a mask as he watched Trump speak from his balcony:

[10 October 2020 19:55 · Chris Riotta]

Meanwhile, another member of the task force warns of a ‘very different’ coronavirus spread

“The spread of the virus now is not occurring so much in the workplace as people have taken precautions,” Dr Deborah Birx said. “It’s happening in homes and social occasions and people gathering and taking their mask off and letting down their guard and not physically distancing.”

[10 October 2020 20:20 · Chris Riotta]

Climate activist makes rare political endorsement for Joe Biden

Helena Soderpalm writes: Teen climate crisis fighter Greta Thunberg on Saturday showed support for Democrat Joe Biden, urging voters concerned about the environment to make their voices heard in the US presidential election.

[10 October 2020 20:45 · Chris Riotta]

More: Trump's Covid advisor spotted maskless at 2,000-strong rally on White House lawn

Oliver O’Connell writes: Donald Trump’s advisor on Covid-19 was spotted not wearing a mask at Saturday’s White House rally. Dr Scott Atlas was pictured standing off to the side of the near 2,000-strong crowd on the South Lawn. Most of the attendees were wearing masks at the president’s first in-person event since his positive test for the coronavirus just over a week ago. There was little social distancing.