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


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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Curiously, at the time of writing, one notable member of Trump's entourage did appear to have a mask on: Melania Trump. Jeva Lange
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
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.
-
Greenpeace, Energy Transfer and the demise of environmental activism
The Explainer Court order forcing Greenpeace to pay $660m over pipeline protests will have 'chilling' impact on free speech, campaigners warn
By The Week UK Published
-
The UK's best spa towns
The Week Recommends From Bath to Buxton, these historic towns are perfect for a relaxing break
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 25, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Turkey arrests Istanbul mayor, a top Erdogan rival
Speed Read Protests erupted in Turkey after authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel strikes Gaza, breaking ceasefire
Speed Read 326 Palestinians were killed in the first major attack since Netanyahu's government signed a ceasefire agreement with Hamas
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Houthis vow retaliation amid US airstrikes
Speed Read Trump promises the US will use 'overwhelming lethal force' against the Houthis until they stop attacking Red Sea ships
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pakistan train hostage standoff ends in bloodshed
Speed Read Pakistan's military stormed a train hijacked by separatist militants, killing 33 attackers and rescuing hundreds of hostages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Arab leaders embrace Egypt's Gaza rebuilding plan
Speed Read The $53 billion proposal would rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinian residents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published