Even though the ceremony was held outdoors and many attendees were tested before being allowed in, photos and videos of the event showed few people wearing masks, many people greeting each other with hugs and handshakes, and people mingling and sitting very closely.

There were also smaller, private gatherings inside the White House that did not include the mask-wearing or social distancing that public health experts have advised is essential to stopping the spread of the virus.

Fauci had previously labeled the event as a "superspreader" -- noting the lack of public health measures in place and the slate of positive tests that followed.

"The data speak for themselves," he said.

Trump announced that he and first lady Melania Trump had tested positive for coronavirus just days after the Rose Garden event.