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Trump says Californians have to 'eat through mask', Internet trolls him saying they are 'surgically implanted'

'In California, you have a special mask. You cannot under any circumstances take it off. You have to eat through the mask. It's a very complex mechanism,' said Trump

On Wednesday, October 28, President Donald Trump mocked the mandatory mask requirements in California with false claims as well as attacked his Democratic opponent in the Presidential race, Joe Biden, at a rally in Goodyear, Arizona.

Trump began by saying at a packed rally — many of whom were reportedly not wearing face masks and all of whom were not practicing social distancing — that the former vice president would enforce further lockdowns, causing economic collapse, and under him, kids can't go back to school and people will not be able to celebrate a number of holidays. "With sleepy Joe, there'd be no graduations, no weddings, no thanksgiving. There's already talk about no thanksgiving," he said. 

Then he went on to slam the mask mandate in California, referring to a tweet by California Governor Gavin Newsom earlier this month, advising restaurant customers to "keep your mask on in between bites."

"In California, you have a special mask. You cannot under any circumstances take it off. You have to eat through the mask. Right, right, Charlie? It's a very complex mechanism. And they don't realize those germs, they go through it like nothing," Trump said. 

CNN fact-checked the POTUS' claims about the mask mandate, writing in their report, "Trump's story was false. Californians are not required to wear 'complex' or 'special' masks. Basic face coverings, even homemade ones, are acceptable there. Though Gov. Gavin Newsom has imposed a statewide mask order, Californians are not required to wear masks at all times. They can remove them when at home, when alone in a room outside their home, when outdoors more than 6 feet from others and when eating or drinking."

Social media was also not forgiving when it comes to criticizing Trump for making unfounded claims about California. "Yeah. I have it on while I shower, brush my teeth and eat. It’s a really special mask," one user wrote, adding a meme of a face mask made out of lettuce in the next, writing, "This is the one I previously used until the California sanctioned one came out."

Another jokingly said, "I am in California right now. Can confirm that we are forced to wear our masks while eating. I stopped eating solid food because of this. I have been consuming liquids only since March." A third commented, "I’m in California and I have several masks of many colors so I’m prepared to wear the one that matches my food color. So easy. Just throw them in the wash. I’m working on a feed bag mask combo which solves a lot of issues. Just fill it up."

Another remarked, "Yes. I live in California. I haven’t taken my mask off since March. I’ve given up eating because I couldn’t figure out the very complex mechanism." The next said, "I live in CA and I had my mask surgically implanted. It's still hard to eat, but at least the germs don't get through quite as much."

One person shared, "Also in CA. Can confirm not eating through masks. One question though, didn’t the administration just add 'ended Covid-19' to their list of accomplishments? So, what germs, Sir?"