Schwarzenegger calls Trump an 'absolute moron' for refusing to wear a mask and making it a political issue
Actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, on Friday morning, June 19, mocked President Donald Trump for his refusal to wear a mask. The president has consistently refused to wear a mask amid the coronavirus pandemic, saying he would not give the press the "pleasure of seeing" him in one.
Schwarzenegger took to Twitter on Friday and appeared to brand Trump an "absolute moron" for his refusal to wear a face mask. The actor turned politician made the remark while he was responding to the news of people in California being required to wear face masks or coverings in public faces. The State Governor Gavin Newsom had tweeted: "NEW: Californians are now REQUIRED to wear face coverings in public spaces. Schwarzenegger responded to the news, stating: "Together -- we can slow the spread. Do your part. Wear a mask."
"This is 100% the right move. This will help us beat this terrible virus," he further tweeted. "The science is unanimous - if we all wear masks, we slow down the spread and can reopen safely. It's not a political issue. Anyone making it a political issue is an absolute moron who can't read," he said in a veiled swipe at Trump.
The president is yet to respond to Schwarzenegger's remarks, however, he voiced his disapproval of face masks once again on Thursday, June18, suggesting that the masks could actually spread the disease than preventing it. "They put their finger on the mask, and they take them off, and then they start touching their eyes and touching their nose and their mouth. And then they don't know how they caught it?" Trump told The Wall Street Journal.
Trump last month, on May 25, had retweeted a post mocking former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a face mask during Memorial Day commemorations. The president had made the dig at Biden even as he himself refused to wear a mask at a ceremony in Virginia. Trump had retweeted a post from Fox News political analyst Brit Hume, which read: "This might help explain why Trump doesn’t like to wear a mask in public. Biden today." The tweet was shared with a close-up picture of Biden in dark sunglasses and a mask at a Memorial Day event on Monday. The event marked the presumptive Democratic nominee Biden and his wife Jill's first trip out of the house in over two months as they lay a wreath at a Delaware veterans park. The pair had been following social distancing measures amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
The Trumps, however, in contrast to Biden and Jill, decided against wearing face masks as Trump and Melania appeared at Memorial Day ceremonies in Virginia and Maryland. The president has consistently refused to wear a mask despite the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) advising Americans to wear them in public places. Shortly after his appearances at the events, Trump received backlash on social media for opting to not wear a mask.
One person tweeted: "Trump rly be out here with shade orange dye #3 spray tan on his skin but the simpleton won’t wear a face mask because it’s embarrassing." While another denounced his leadership qualities, writing: "Yes. Trump doesn't wear a face mask because of his narcissistic vanity. And denial of science. Worst leadership qualities for a president."