Trump's family is evidently refusing to wear masks at the debate, despite them being required

(Image credit: Twitter/@TheHill)

published 30 September 2020

President Trump's family appeared to flaunt local ordinances while attending the presidential debate on Tuesday, removing their face masks after taking their seats at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Tyler Page, a reporter with Bloomberg News, tweeted that "according to the Cleveland Clinic, it's a requirement that all [debate] guests wear masks" and that "a Cleveland Clinic doctor with masks … walked up to a number of unmasked members of the audience on Trump's side of the room and asked them to put on masks. She told me they refused to take one and wear them."

"Everyone" on former Vice President Joe Biden's side of the room was reportedly following with the guidance.

There were tight health requirements for attendees of the debate, including that audience members must have an invitation to the event, wear a face mask, and have a wristband proving they tested negative for COVID-19. Only between 80 and 100 people were in attendance, with seats spaced safe distances apart.

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Curiously, at the time of writing, one notable member of Trump's entourage did appear to have a mask on: Melania Trump. Jeva Lange

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.