Donald Trump took no questions during his daily White House briefing on Friday and spoke for just six minutes in a stark contrast to other recent press conferences.

Hours after having to clarify his comments about injecting disinfectant to treat coronavirus, the US president once again appeared before the press to give an update on the crisis.

In recent weeks the evening briefings have sometimes lasted for two hours, with Mr Trump known to ask the reporters if they want to ask more questions after the hour mark.

On Friday, Mr Trump began as he always does - by reading from a prepared statement at the podium in the White House briefing room, ad-libbing at times. He was followed by Stephen Hahn, the US commissioner of the food and drug, and then Mike Pence, the US vice-president who is leading the White House coronavirus taskforce.

Usually Mr Trump then returns to the podium, taking questions. This time Mr Trump headed straight for the door.

Earlier on Friday, Mr Trump attempted to brush away fierce criticism of his suggestion in the day before’s briefing that perhaps injections of disinfectant could treat Covid-19.

“I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen," Mr Trump had said, challenged on the remarks by a journalist while he signed a $484bn stimulus package.

Read more: Trump claims he was being sarcastic when suggesting injecting disinfectant