Coronavirus: Pelosi says Trump’s failure to wear masks at rallies was ‘brazen invitation’

‘Going into crowds unmasked was a brazen invitation for this to happen,’ top House Democrat says in jab at president

Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Donald Trump’s positive coronavirus diagnosis “tragic” and “very sad,” but criticised the president for attending crowded fundraisers and campaign rallies while not wearing a mask.

“It's very sad. But it something ... going into crowds unmasked was a brazen invitation for this to happen,” the California Democrat told MSNBC.

Ms Pelosi said she wants Mr Trump and First Lady Melania Trump contracting the virus, with all the “protections” they have as first couple, to  “hopefully be a transition to a saner approach.” She has been sharply critical of the Trump administration’s response to the pandemic.

The 80-year-old speaker said “by dint of age” the 74-year-old president is in the most vulnerable group to have a serious case of Covid-19.

“Hopefully this is not serious for the president,” she said.

Ms Pelosi is second in line for the presidency, behind Vice President Mike Pence. He and his wife, Karen Pence, both tested negative on Friday.

The speaker said she has been tested, but has no result yet. She met in person on Thursday with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, who also has tested negative.