On July 21, Donald Trump held his first press briefing on the coronavirus pandemic in about three months. There wasn't even one White House task force member present during this revived daily briefings which focused on the still-raging crisis.

Trump has largely remained absent during the health crisis discussion, and this led to a significant drop in his poll numbers. Tump's recent appearance in the White House briefing room was meant to amend his rundown reputation while projecting a more commanding role for the president.

During the 30-minutes long press conference, Trump reiterated his previous statement saying that the virus will disappear. He again insisted that the United States' response to the pandemic was comparatively better than other countries, but much to the relief of his advisors, Trump had some more realistic projections to offer that touted him as a sober-minded leader.

Trump echoed a prediction he made in April of a couple of rough weeks ahead, saying things are likely to get worse before they get better. Moreover, the president continued urging people to wear masks, while he did not wear one during the briefing.

Promoting the use of masks, Trump said regardless of whether people like or dislike wearing the mask, it has an impact. He also admitted that he was getting used to wearing the mask. Surprisingly, Trump was not accompanied by any of the White House coronavirus task force health experts.

Just an hour before Trump appeared from the podium, Dr. Anthony Fauci told CNN that he had not been invited to participate. A person familiar with the matter said Fauci was expecting to be a part of the press conference, but White House aides indicated earlier this week that the revamped presidential briefings would probably not include administration officials.

Responding to a question about why no administration officials were accompanying him, the president said Dr. Deborah Birx was standing out outside listening. Trump and his aides are bent on avoiding the angry outbursts and rambling tangents that became a part of their first round of briefings.

 

When asked about Ghislaine Maxwell, who is facing charges for recruiting, grooming and sexually abusing minors, Trump recalled meeting her partner Jeffrey Epstein in Palm Beach and said he wished her well. Contradicting his press secretary Kayleigh McEnany's statement that implied he gets tested several times a day, Trump said he didn't know of any time he had taken two tests in one day.