President Donald Trump glossed over America's near-181,000 coronavirus deaths as he accepted the Republican nomination in front of 1,500 guests totally ignoring social distancing.
The 74-year-old gave a lengthy and rambling speech outside the White House to set out his stall for a second term, in what he called 'the most important election in the history of our country'.
Hundreds of people in attendance, including his family, sat packed together with zero regard for measures to prevent the spread of the disease and almost none wore masks.
As Trump repeatedly blamed China for 'doing nothing to stop the spread of the virus', the latest damning death toll and infection rate figures for the US were released.
America still has by far the largest number of both;180,806 deaths from Covid-19 and 5.8 million reported cases.
After listing what he considered to be his achievements during his four years in office - including taking credit for 'ending ISIS' - Trump spent much of his speech demonizing Democrat rival Joe Biden.
He warned the candidate would "be the destroyer of America" if he got into office, sending millions of jobs overseas.
"At no time before have voters faced a clearer choice - this election will decide if we save the American dream," he said.
"It will decide if millions of our jobs go overseas, and if we defend the American way of live or allow a radical movement to completely destroy it.
"Tonight I ask you, how can the Democratic party ask to lead our country when it spends so much time trying to tare down our country?
"China would own our country if he got elected. They allowed this virus to spread - they could have stopped it.
"Joe Biden is not a saviour of America's soul, he will be the destroyer of America if given the chance.
"He spent his entire career outsourcing dreams and fighting in foreign wars. I have kept America out of new wars and given three pay rises to our great warriors."
The billionaire went on to criticise the protests that have gripped America since unarmed black man George Floyd was killed earlier this year by a white policeman who knelt on his neck.
Demonstrations turned violent earlier this week following another police shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake, who is now paralysed after an officer hit him from behind seven times.
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Earlier this week two protesters were called by a gunman, which led to the arrest of 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, a self styled militia member and Trump supporter.
"This election will decide whether we save the American dream or whether we allow a socialist agenda to demolish our cherished destiny," the president said.
"This election will decide whether we protect law-abiding Americans, or whether we give free rein to violent anarchic agitators and criminals who threaten our citizens."
He was introduced to the stage by his daughter Ivanka, who began with a message to those affected by Hurricane Laura, which hit Texas and Louisiana this week.
"Our hearts are with you," she says. "The President will continue to support you every step of the way.
"Washington needs four more years of this warrior in the White House."
Biden bit back at his rival with a series of tweets during the speech, criticising his record on the pandemic and saying he had 'waved the white flag# to Covid-19.
" Donald Trump is right, this is the most important election in the history of our country. Chip in to help us get him out of the White House."
"Donald Trump calls himself a wartime president.
"But now, instead of leading the charge to defeat this virus, he’s waved the white flag. He abandoned the American people when we needed him most.
"Donald Trump didn't build a wall around America, the world built a wall around us."
