President Trump wore a face mask during his Saturday visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to AP.

Why it matters: This is the first occasion the president has appeared publicly with a facial covering as recommended by health officials since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

What they're saying: “When you’re in a hospital, especially ... I think it’s expected to wear a mask," Trump said as he left the White House Saturday, according to AP.

Flashback:The president refused to wear a mask in May while touring a Ford Motor Co. plant in Michigan because he "didn’t want to give the press the pleasure” of seeing him wearing the protective covering.

Go deeper:Where the science stands on using face masks against coronavirus