The president’s former doctor rose to public fame in 2018 when Trump appointed him to be the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. But his nomination was diverted by controversy after Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) Released allegations that Jackson had over-prescribed the pills and had drunk on the job.
The White House eventually withdrew the nomination, even as Trump continued his vociferous defense of the doctor, and Jackson later left the White House medical unit.
Jackson’s apparent aversion to masks underscores the extent to which they have been politicized during the public health crisis, largely due to the president’s reluctance to model the personal mitigation measure and past statements that minimize the threat of the coronavirus.
Jackson emerged victorious Tuesday in the Republican primaries for Texas’ 13th congressional district, a seat currently occupied by retired Republican Rep. Mac Thornberry. Trump backed Jackson, who will face Democratic nominee Gus Trujillo in the November general election.
Trump only wore a mask publicly for the first time on Saturday, during a visit to the Walter Reed National Medical Center, after significant pressure from Republican lawmakers and even some conservative media commentators.
Just two weeks ago, as coronavirus cases continued to rise, Trump told Fox Business that he was “all for masks,” and said in an interview Tuesday with CBS News that he would urge Americans to wear a mask “if he is necessary”.
