Trump wears a mask during visit to wounded service members at Walter Reed - CNN

This is the first time since the pandemic began that the White House press corps got a glimpse of Trump with a face covering.

The President's decision to wear a mask during his Saturday trip to the medical center comes after months of declining to publicly wear one -- against the recommendations of his own administration's public health experts.

CNN previously reported that Trump's agreement to don a mask in public was the result of heavy "pleading" by aides, who urged the President to set an example for his supporters by wearing a mask on the visit.

During a Fox News interview Thursday, Trump teased his visit to Walter Reed, saying, "I expect to be wearing a mask when I go into Walter Reed.

You're in a hospital setting, I think it's a very appropriate thing."

Trump then doubled down on his intent to wear a face covering in a hospital setting, saying in a Friday interview with Telemundo, "That wouldn't be difficult at all for me."

Masks have become a political flash point as some Americans argue the requirement infringes upon their civil liberties.