Trump skipped a coronavirus meeting with G20 leaders to play golf

• President Donald Trump was noticeably absent from a coronavirus meeting with this year's G20 Summit world leaders.
• CNN reported that leaders from Germany, France, South Korea, and Argentina were scheduled to participate in the event.
• But Trump was noticeably absent and White House pool reporters said during a meeting focused on coronavirus preparedness Trump had arrived at one of his golf courses.
• The United States, with more than 11.9 million cases and 255,000 deaths, makes up the largest share of global coronavirus cases.

While world leaders met on Saturday to discuss preparation efforts to contain and alleviate the coronavirus pandemic in the next few months, President Donald Trump appeared to be golfing.

CNN reported that leaders from Germany, France, South Korea, and Argentina were scheduled to participate in the event. But noticeably absent was Trump, the leader of the country making up the largest share of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in the world.

Leaders met to "foster international cooperation and to find solutions that protect people's lives and livelihoods," CNN reported.

The G20 Summit is the main event on Trump's Saturday schedule, starting from 8 a.m. ET with no end time listed.

But during a meeting focused on coronavirus preparedness, White House pool reporters said Trump had arrived at one of his golf courses.

—Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) November 21, 2020

CNN reported that Trump's name was not on the list of event speakers. The White House did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

World leaders met virtually for the G20 Summit, an event that's been happening regularly every year for over a decade.

The White House confirmed Trump's participation late Friday afternoon, according to the Washington Post, less than a day before the summit was scheduled to begin.

The countries that make up the G20 "represent around 80% of the world's economic output, two-thirds of global population and three-quarters of international trade," an information page for the summit says. "Throughout the year, representatives from G20 countries gather to discuss financial and socioeconomic issues.​"

Trump had appeared at one of the G20 meetings Saturday morning. At one point during the summit, he suggested he'd see the world leaders again next year, despite his loss to President-elect Joe Biden.

"It's been a great honor to work with you," he said. "And I look forward to working with you again for a long time."