Trump denies downplaying virus, casts doubt on mask usage

PHILADELPHIA - President Donald Trump denied during a televised town hall Tuesday that he had played down the threat of the coronavirus earlier this year, although there is an audio recording of him stating he did just that.

Trump, pressed by one uncommitted voter on why he doesn't more aggressively promote the use of masks to reduce the spread of the disease, continued to cast doubt on the widely accepted scientific conclusions of his own administration strongly urging the use of face coverings.

"There are people that don't think masks are good," Trump said.

https://www.startribune.com/trump-to-take-questions-in-tv-town-hall-as-debates-warm-up/572419902/