Donald Trump has finally worn a facemask in public for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began. 

The President has stubbornly refused to wear one, despite the nation being advised to do so.

But on Saturday, he was pictured wearing one when he visited the Walter Reed military hospital outside Washington.

He met wounded soldiers and health care workers who are looking after Covid-19 patients. 

Before he left the White House, he told reporters: “When you’re in a hospital, especially … I think it’s expected to wear a mask.

“I think when you're in a hospital, especially in that particular setting, where you're talking to a lot of soldiers and people that, in some cases, just got off the operating tables, I think it's a great thing to wear a mask.”

Trump had previously donned a facemask during a tour of a Ford Plant in May. But he only wore one behind the scenes as he didn’t want to give the press the ‘pleasure’ of seeing him wear one.

During the same month, he ignored all the signs warning to wear a mask during a visit to an Arizona mask factory. 

He only wore goggles despite a sign that stated: ‘Attention, face mask is required in this area’ and a sign at the entrance that said: ‘Please wear your mask at all times'.

He has also accused reporters of wearing one to be ‘politically correct,’ and has mocked Democrat Joe Biden, who is also running for president, for wearing one.

The US saw a new daily record on Saturday for coronavirus cases, recording 66,528.