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WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump mocked his 2024 bid for the presidency when he hosted a Christmas reception at the White House on Tuesday night (Dec. 1).
“It’s been an amazing four years,” Trump told the crowd, which included many members of the Republican National Committee. “We’re trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I’ll see you in four years.”
The video of Trump’s appearance was streamed live on Facebook by an aide, former Oklahoma Republican Party Chair Pam Pollard. It showed dozens of people huddled in the Cross Hall on the White House state floor, standing close together. Many of those seen in the video were not wearing masks.
The Trumps began hosting Christmas receptions this week, with the intention of celebrating one final season before Trump leaves office on January 20.
According to social media posts reviewed by the Associated Press, the events have featured large crowds of often mask-less attendees gathered inside, violating public health guidance that the U.S. government has pressured the nation to keep this holiday season going as COVID-19 cases skyrocket. the country.
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In the video, Trump is heard continuing to issue unsubstantiated allegations of election fraud to explain his defeat to President-elect Joe Biden despite his attorney general, William Barr, telling the AP on Tuesday that the Justice Department did not he had discovered evidence of widespread voters. fraud and had not seen anything that could change the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.
“It’s certainly an unusual year. We won an election. But they don’t like that,” Trump told the group, adding: “I call it a rigged election, and I always will.”
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The White House has been the site of at least one alleged COVID-19 super-spread event, and dozens of aides to the president, campaign personnel and allies tested positive in numerous outbreaks.
Trump himself was hospitalized for the virus in October, and the first lady and two of her children tested positive. Many others have had to quarantine themselves.
Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s spokeswoman and chief of staff, had said last month that the White House would move forward with events “while providing the safest environment possible.”
He said that would include smaller guest lists, that “masks will be required and available, social distancing will be encouraged while on the White House grounds, and hand sanitizing stations across the state floor.”
“Attending the parties will be a very personal choice,” he added.
