Trump Predicts 'One More Nice Shot' Of Coronavirus Relief From Congress On Visit To Ford Plant

President Trump said Thursday he expects another round of economic relief to ease the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, saying he expects “one more nice shot” during a visit to a repurposed Ford assembly plant near Detroit.

Trump went maskless during the visit to the plant in Ypsilanti that now is producing ventilators, respirators, masks and gowns to ease shortages that arose as the COVID-19 pandemic began ravaging the United States. The president invoked the Defense Production Act to get the process going. The result, he said, is the U.S. now is exporting equipment to other countries hard hit by the pandemic. He praised Ford officials for accomplishing the “biggest mobilization since World War II.”

As of midafternoon Thursday, nearly 94,000 Americans had died of COVID-19.

House Democrats last week passed a $3 trillion economic relief package that would more than double the amount already approved to mitigate the impact lockdowns across most of the country. Republicans have been cool to the proposal, but Trump said he expects more aid to those adversely affected by the closure of nonessential businesses.

“I would say there could be one more nice shot,” he said, flanked by Ford officials, all wearing face masks.

Some 38 million Americans have filed initial unemployment claims since mid-March.

Trump again predicted a swift comeback for the economy despite forecasts indicating the effects of the pandemic could last for years.

Trump again ignored public health recommendations about wearing nose and mouth coverings, despite rules at the plant and throughout the state of Michigan requiring that masks be worn. He said he had worn a mask and goggles during a tour of the production area but took them off to speak with reporters.

"I didn't want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it," Trump said.

In an earlier meeting with black leaders, he again was maskless.

The visit came one day after Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from the state because of the secretary of state’s decision to mail out applications for absentee ballots to all of the state’s 7.7 million voters. Trump insists more widespread mail-in voting is ripe for vote fraud.

Michigan is seen as a key swing state.

Ford closed its Dearborn assembly plant just a day after reopening after a worker tested positive for coronavirus.

Michigan has been among the hardest hit states amid the pandemic, recording 5,129 deaths as of Thursday.

Trump has refused to wear a mask in public, telling aides he thinks it makes him look weak.

At least two White House staffers who came in close contact with Trump have tested positive for coronavirus. As he left Washington, Trump told reporters; “I tested positively toward negative, right? So, no, I tested perfectly this morning, meaning — meaning I tested negative.”