Trump mocks Biden for wearing a mask at Memorial Day event, gets slammed for refusing to wear one himself
President Donald Trump, on Monday, May 25, retweeted a post mocking former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a face mask during Memorial Day commemorations. The president made the dig at Biden even as he himself refused to wear a mask at a ceremony in Virginia.
Trump 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 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."
There were others who slammed Trump for shaming Biden for wearing a mask, and stated that it just showed that the Democrat "cares for American people." One Twitter user wrote: "@realDonaldTrump this picture of Biden with a face mask on shows respect, courage and he cares for American people. Not to mention he doesn't want The damn Corona virus! He's in the vulnerable category. So people say what they will, he's got more class."
Biden, ever since canceling his March 10 rally in Cleveland in the wake of the pandemic, has been operating his presidential campaign from his Wilmington home. The presumptive Democratic nominee, however, emerged on Monday, along with his wife Jill as they both wore face masks before attending the event.
Trump, in contrast, was seen maskless again as he participated in a ceremony honoring the nation's fallen service members at Arlington Cemetery. He then flew to Baltimore with the first lady to attend a second service at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. The couple chose not to wear masks at both the ceremonies.
With Biden's initial reluctance to come out of his home, speculations were rife that the country might just see him spending nearly five months ahead of the presidential elections at his residence. However, the former vice president's appearance on Monday marked a milestone in the Democrat's presidential campaign, suggesting that he plans to venture out when need be.
The novel coronavirus has affected the United States the worst, with the death toll swiftly nearing 100,000 and over one million people in the country infected by the virus.