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Trump Defies State Coronavirus Guidelines With Large Outdoor Rally in North
Carolina

Steve Herman

   WHITE HOUSE - Amid the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. President Donald
   Trump attracteda crowd ofthousandsto his latest political rally at a
   North Carolina airport Tuesday evening.

   Trump marveled at a crowd he said totaled 15,000 people --- a number
   that reporters on site said was exaggerated.

   The rally was attended by 14,600 people and several thousand more
   either wanted to attend or were nearby, according to a senior
   administration official who spoke to reporters on Air Force One on the
   flight back from North Carolina.

   Journalists also noted the lack of social distancing among those seated
   and standing. Many of the attendees did not wear masks and some who did
   let them droop down below their noses.

   It was a crowd clearly in defiance of state guidance limiting outdoor
   mass gatherings to 50 people with social distancing and cloth face
   coverings.

   Trump contended again on Tuesday that his campaign has found a loophole
   to avoid violating such state regulations because "we decided to call
   all our rallies peaceful protests" -- a reference to criticism from
   those on the right thatsomeanti-racism protesters amid the pandemic
   have been hypocritical by not wearing masks.

   The president contrasted his rallies with those of challenger Joe
   Biden, mocking the socially distancing circles in gymnasiums that have
   been a feature of the Democratic Party nominee's relatively few
   appearances.

   "Did you ever see the gyms with the circles? That's his crowds," Trump
   said.

   It was Trump's third visit to North Carolina in two weeks. He won the
   state by four points in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, but polls show
   him virtually tied in the state with Biden.

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