[imagesource: Alex Brandon / AP]

Every day, the sheer fragility of President Donald Trump’s ego amazes me.

Whilst being treated for COVID-19, he was so desperate for public attention, and so fearful of appearing weak, that he endangered the lives of Secret Service agents so that he could perform a drive-by described by one doctor as “insanity”.

He was itching to leave the Walter Reed military medical centre, and earlier this week, he got his wish and was choppered back to the White House.

The strongman act was ramped up, and Donald whipped off the mask and gave the thumbs-up:

REMOVES MASK: Pres. Donald Trump arrived back at the White House after a brief stay at Walter Reed Medical Center. When he reached the entrance, the president removed his mask. https://t.co/RevwuJtFKq pic.twitter.com/8N1SHiqUB6

— KDKA (@KDKA) October 6, 2020

His press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany (who also tested positive for COVID-19), just loves seeing ‘ol Donnie “stand strongly” on the balcony!

Love seeing our President @realDonaldTrump return home to the White House & stand strongly on the balcony! pic.twitter.com/jb6gcbfv7A

— Kayleigh McEnany (@kayleighmcenany) October 5, 2020

I just love me a president who can “stand strongly”.

Except for this clip, widely circulated, which appears to show Trump struggling for breath before entering the White House:

Trump looks like he is gasping for air pic.twitter.com/4k2v4Jxlir

— Brennan Murphy (@brenonade) October 5, 2020

You have COVID-19, man, it’s alright to be a little short of breath.

But no, everything must be perfect, so a short while later, Trump reemerged, still maskless, to reshoot some scenes:

camera gets set up and he walks back over to face it pic.twitter.com/kY6N4Yii7Z

— Kate Bennett (@KateBennett_DC) October 5, 2020

More footage from CNN, showing that scene play out:

Here’s the Independent:

The footage apparently shows at least one cameraman and four other people in close proximity to the president.

Trump campaign spokesman Hogan Gidley told Fox News that the president had been alone while on the balcony…

Shortly after the president got back to the White House, a video of his arrival was uploaded to his personal Twitter acccount.

So strong, so many waves and salutes, so manly:

pic.twitter.com/Sn4yTTg8eB

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020

Voting in the presidential election has already begun in many states, with November 3 the big one to mark down.

Sadly, we may not know the results of the election for days, weeks, or perhaps even months, for reasons clearly laid out by John Oliver.

[source:independent]