Donald Trump appeared to gasp for air as he returned to the White House after being discharged from hospital.
Mr Trump returned to the White House on Monday from the Walter Reed Medical Center, where he was admitted for coronavirus treatment on Friday , and quickly set about posing for pictures, waving, and giving thumbs-up signs.
But footage of the 74-year-old standing outside the US' highest political office appeared to show him struggling to breathe freely. The clip prompted speculation online that he was prematurely discharged.
There had been confusion surrounding Mr Trump's condition over the weekend when it emerged he had been given a dose of steroid typically used for patients with only severe cases of Covid-19 after his blood oxygen level dropped suddenly twice in successive days.
However, Mr Trump declared he felt "good" after landing at the White House on Marine One.
As he left the helicopter, the US President wore a mask and gingerly climbed the stairs of the South Portico.
He then removed the covering and posed for pictures, before turning to walk into the White House, his mask still in his pocket.
Mr Trump has repeatedly played down the severity of coronavirus, which has killed more than one million people worldwide and more than 209,000 in the United States alone - the highest death toll of any country.
The 74-year-old has flouted social-distancing guidelines meant to curb the virus’ spread and on Monday called for people to "get out there" and live without fear despite the pandemic.
Mr Trump also posted a recorded video message on Twitter , which said: “Don’t let it dominate you. Don’t be afraid of it.
“We’re going back, we’re going back to work. We’re going to be out front. ... Don’t let it dominate your lives. Get out there, be careful.”
Mr Trump’s message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president’s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease, which has also infected the first lady and several White House aides, including new cases revealed on Monday.
The US President's personal doctor, Navy Commander Sean Conley, said earlier on Monday that Mr Trump remains contagious and would not be fully “out of the woods” for another week but that he had met or exceeded standards for discharge from hospital.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19 can be contagious for as many – and should isolate for at least – 10 days.
