Trump addresses public for first time since contracting COVID-19

At a White House political rally slammed for its disregard of public health and possible violation of federal law, President Trump on Saturday gave his first public address since his coronavirus diagnosis and three-day stint at Walter Reed medical center.

Trump emerged on the White House’s South Lawn balcony wearing a white-and-blue medical mask. He pulled it off and pointed toward the cheering crowd of about 500 people.

“Keep that enthusiasm going. Get out and vote,” he said, grinning as he thanked supporters for their prayers for him and First Lady Melania Trump. “We’ve got to vote. We’ve got to vote these people into oblivion.”

President Trump speaks to a crowd outside the White House on Saturday. (MANDEL NGAN/)

In remarks that lasted just over 17 minutes, Trump hopscotched from topic to topic, making brief points about law enforcement, health care, and a new COVID-19 vaccine.

“I want you to know, our nation’s going to defeat this terrible China virus, as we call it,” he said, using his racially-charged moniker for the coronavirus.

“And we’re producing powerful therapies and drugs ... We’re going to recover and the vaccine is coming out very, very quickly in record time. As you know, it’s coming out very, very soon.”

He then called out to Black and Latino voters, who he said “are leaving behind left-wing politicians and their failed ideology.”

Trump emerged on the White House’s South Lawn balcony wearing a white-and-blue medical mask. He pulled it off and pointed toward the cheering crowd of about 500 people. (Alex Brandon/)

“They failed for many years and many, many decades. Democrats have run nearly every inner city in America. And I mean for 100 years,” he said.

Many of the people of color present wore matching blue T-shirts provided by conservative activist Candace Owens, who helped organize the event and who Trump cited by name several times in his speech.

“Black and Latino Americans are rejecting the radical socialist left,” Trump said. “And they’re embracing our pro-jobs, pro-worker, pro-police, we want law and order we have to have law and order and pro-American agenda.”

“This is even more important than even four years ago,” he said on a final note. “This is the single, most important election in the history of our country. Get out and vote — and I love you.”

Some of those attending Saturday’s event had their travel and lodging expenses covered by Owens' group, BLEXIT, according to an ABC News report.

Owens required all the group’s members attending the event to wear a BLEXIT T-shirt, the report said.

In remarks that lasted just over 17 minutes, Trump hopscotched from topic to topic, making brief points about law enforcement, health care, and a new COVID-19 vaccine. “I want you to know, our nation’s going to defeat this terrible China virus, as we call it,” he said, using his racially charged moniker for the coronavirus. (Samuel Corum/)

Democrats said that by holding a rally on the White House lawn, Trump administration officials again ignored the Hatch Act, which prohibits partisan political activity on federal property.

Trump held a rally on White House grounds during the Republican National Convention in August, an event critics also said ignored the Hatch Act.

“It was illegal for Donald Trump to hold his nominating convention at the White House in August," Congressman Adam Schiff tweeted minutes before Trump addressed the crowd.

“And it is morally bankrupt for Donald Trump to hold another super-spreader rally at the White House today,” Schiff wrote. “The law and ethics don’t matter to this President. Nor does our health.”

Others in Trump’s corner have recently come under fire for violating the Hatch Act.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue breached the law Aug. 24 when he used his political standing to call for Trump’s reelection during a speech in Mills River, N.C., the federal Office of Special Counsel said in a letter issued Thursday.

“Secretary Perdue’s comments during the August 24 event encouraged those present, and those watching remotely, to vote for President Trump’s reelection,” the letter said. “His first words were not about USDA, but about the president’s 2016 and 2020 campaigns.”

Trump emerged on the White House’s South Lawn balcony wearing a white-and-blue medical mask. He pulled it off and pointed toward the cheering crowd of about 500 people. “Keep that enthusiasm going. Get out and vote,” he said, grinning as he thanked supporters for their prayers for him and First Lady Melania Trump. “We’ve got to vote. We’ve got to vote these people into oblivion.” (Samuel Corum/)

The Office of Special Counsel — which is charged with enforcing the Hatch Act — ordered that the government “must be reimbursed within a ‘reasonable period of time’” for the costs associated with Perdue’s participation in the North Carolina event.

It’s unclear whether the agency will pursue similar action over the White House rally. After the GOP convention in August, the Office of Special Counsel issued a statement saying it was up to the Justice Department to pursue criminal violations under the act.