Some Republicans hoped his ill-fated June rally in Tulsa, Okla., when he couldnt come close to filling the arena and some of his own staff members got the virus, would serve as a wake-up call.
But while the event put an end to his rallies for a period, it did not make Mr. Trump more sober about the threat of the virus.
The president restarted the rallies during the Democratic convention in August. The events have been mostly, but not always, outdoors. Yet his supporters, journalists, White House staff members, security workers and others are around one another for hours at the rallies. And many of those who attend, including Mr. Trump and members of his staff, do not wear masks.
Not only has he defied the advice of his health advisers on masks, he has also repeatedly mocked the practice, putting him out of step with the majority of the country and even some in his party. Forty percent of Republicans said in a New York Times/Siena College poll last month that they supported a nationwide mask mandate when social distancing is not possible.
Other G.O.P. leaders, including Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, have repeatedly highlighted the importance of masks and have been careful to wear them inside the Capitol.
The same survey, along with ones taken in battleground states, also indicated that a majority of voters disapproved of Mr. Trumps approach to the pandemic and trusted Mr. Biden to do a better job handling the situation.
This drumbeat of data has not changed Mr. Trumps approach to the disease, though.
On Tuesday, at his first debate with Mr. Biden, Mr. Trump ridiculed his opponent, a fellow septuagenarian, for his precautions.
I dont wear masks like him, the president said. Every time you see him, hes got a mask. He could be speaking 200 feet away from it. And he shows up with the biggest mask Ive ever seen.read more
Trump’s Positive Coronavirus Test Upends Campaign in Final Stretch
