US President Donald Trump's much heralded new tone on the coronavirus pandemic evaporated in a burst of misleading medical speculation, criticism for his own top virus expert, and praise for an eccentric preacher-doctor touting conspiracy theories.
Just a week ago, Mr Trump sought to get his shaky reelection campaign back on track by addressing national criticism of a leadership void in a crisis that has already killed nearly 150,000 Americans and wreaked havoc on the world's biggest economy.
The president admitted things were going to "get worse before they get better". He indicated he was embracing the science. He finally urged the wearing of masks.