Trump To Visit Phoenix Mask Maker Tuesday: What You Should Know

PHOENIX, AZ — President Donald Trump is set Tuesday to take his first trip outside of the White House in over a month as he visits a Honeywell plant in Phoenix that has begun manufacturing N95 face masks alongside its usual aircraft engines.

According to a tweet from White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere, Trump's visit to the plant is intended to highlight Honeywell's "critical medical equipment production and the addition of 500 manufacturing jobs in the state."

In an earlier news release, Honeywell said the Phoenix plant — coupled with additional production in Rhode Island — will allow the company to make 20 million N95 masks each month while adding hundreds of jobs in the Grand Canyon State.

The masks are destined for the National Strategic Stockpile, News 12 reports. Additionally, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey said the state will buy some 6 million Honeywell masks for its Department of Health Services and distribute them statewide in the next year.

Here's what else you should know:

There Will Be No Rally

When Trump last visited Phoenix in February, he hosted a rally at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. But because social distancing orders continue in Arizona, no rally is planned for Trump's visit Tuesday.

Instead, News 12 reports, the coliseum is being used as the site of a coronavirus "testing blitz."

Traffic

No details have been released about Trump travels within Phoenix. It's unclear how traffic will be impacted or which roads, if any, will be closed as Trump travels to and from the Honeywell plant.

Will Trump Wear A Mask?

Vice President Mike Pence came under fire last week for disregarding the Mayo Clinic's face mask requirement when he visited the medical center in Minnesota. He later said he chose not to wear a mask so he could "speak to these researchers these incredible health care personnel and look them in the eye and say thank you,” according to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman.

Two days after his visit to the clinic, Pence wore a mask while visiting a General Motors plant in Indiana, NPR reported. Pence later admitted: "I didn't think it was necessary, but I should have worn a mask at the Mayo Clinic."

In a news briefing, Trump said he will "have to see" whether he will wear a mask during his visit to Arizona.

"I’m going to have to look at the climate. I have no problem wearing a mask," he said. "I’m supposed to make a speech. I just don’t know. Should I speak in a mask? You’re going to have to tell me if that’s politically correct."

He added: "Depending on the conditions, I would have no problem wearing a mask."

What's Next For Trump

The Associated Press reports Trump's trip to Arizona kicks off more travel for him in the future. In June, he is set to speak at a commencement ceremony for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.