Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Trump Holds Large White House Event After COVID-19 Hospitalization VOA News U.S. President Donald Trump held a large White House political rally Saturday, his first public event since he tested positive recently for the coronavirus that has, according to Johns Hopkins University, claimed over 214,000 lives in the U.S., more than in any other country. The rally marked the resumption of public campaign activities for Trump, who was hospitalized for three nights for treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, as the Nov. 3 presidential election draws closer. As questions lingered about his health, Trump spoke from a balcony without wearing a mask, telling a crowd of largely Blacks and Latinos, who have been disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, there are "a lot of flare-ups, but it's going to disappear." He said, without evidence, a "vaccine is coming very, very quickly, in record time." All attendees were required to wear masks to what was billed as "a peaceful protest for law and order" White House event. They were urged to practice social distancing, were given temperature checks and were asked to complete a brief questionnaire. The Associated Press reported that most of those who gathered for his speech wore masks, but there was little social distancing. .