Audio By Carbonatix
President Donald Trump has returned to the campaign trail less than two weeks after testing positive for coronavirus.
He told thousands of supporters, many not wearing masks, that he could give them "a big fat kiss", at a rally in the battleground state of Florida.
His rival, Joe Biden, speaking in Ohio, accused the president of "reckless behaviour" since his diagnosis.
The two presidential candidates are scrambling to secure votes with three weeks until the 3 November election.
Opinion polls suggest Mr Biden has a 10-point lead over Mr Trump nationally.
However, his lead in some key states is narrower - as is the case in Florida, where the Democrat is 3.7 points ahead, according to an average of polls collated by Real Clear Politics.
Battlegrounds like Florida and Ohio are crucial for gathering the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the White House, which is not determined by a simple popular ballot count.
Mr Trump, 74, tested positive for Covid-19 some 11 days ago, and was admitted to hospital a day later.
But on Sunday his personal doctor said he was no longer a Covid transmission risk to others and disclosed on Monday that his most recent tests were negative over consecutive days, although he did not give the dates.
Trump faithful come out to see their man
The usual chants of "Four more years!" were heard as hundreds queued to enter the open air space where the president made his appearance.
People have been getting their temperature checked and were offered face masks. Those who covered up didn't think it was too soon for the president to be out and about. They said they admired him for it. One man here told me he was originally from New York and had made Florida his home - just like "his hero" Donald Trump.
The Trump campaign team is throwing everything at Florida - a loss here makes his return to the White House near impossible.
Vice-President Mike Pence recently visited "The Villages" a famous retirement home to turn out the elderly vote.
But though the president and some of his supporters here seem relaxed about coronavirus, it has hit Florida hard, with more than 15,000 deaths.
Joe Biden, who arrives in the state on Tuesday, is focusing on the administration's handling of the pandemic and plan to carry out a quieter but vigorous campaign in key suburban areas which they hope will help flip the state blue.
What did Trump say at the rally?
In his first stump appearance following his Covid-19 diagnosis and recovery, a re-invigorated Mr Trump returned to his campaign's familiar themes and lines of attack against Mr Biden.
He touted stock market growth, the establishment of the US Space Force and his successful confirmation of two conservative Supreme Court justices to the bench - with a third nominee, Judge Amy Coney Barrett, before the Senate this week - as major achievements.
Before a crowd of several thousand he denounced plans to prolong Covid-related shutdowns supported by Democrats and sought to question Mr Biden's mental acuity.
Latest Stories
-
Today’s Front pages: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
3 minutes -
World Bank projects sharp rise in global fertiliser prices in 2026, warns of food inflation risks
19 minutes -
REGSEC, Tema West Assembly begin 3-day demolition of illegal structures at Sakumo Ramsar site today
24 minutes -
Roads Minister confronts contractor over ‘unacceptable’ delays on Techiman–Wenchi road
33 minutes -
Cyclist awarded motorbike by Anwelle Foundation for 525km ride to promote Bong-ngo festival
44 minutes -
The Pastor and the Tithe, the Politician and the Tax
48 minutes -
Visibility is the new currency; be seen or go broke
58 minutes -
TUTAG urges government to resource existing universities before expansion
1 hour -
BoG cuts currency issuance cost to GH¢471m as cash in circulation rises to GH¢83.8bn
2 hours -
US Health Deal: Ghana cannot cut off health aid overnight – Former Deputy Minister
2 hours -
Cutting off donor aid now would deepen health sector strain – Akwasi Acquah
2 hours -
Asutifi North targets zero exam malpractice in BECE – DCE
3 hours -
Atebubu-Amantin MP warns gov’t over food glut, dumsor crisis
3 hours -
We are living on borrowed time – Oppong Nkrumah
3 hours -
ECG invests GH¢1.11bn in Ashanti power upgrades to address supply fluctuations
3 hours