Melania Was the Only Trump Wearing a Mask at the Debate
Melania Trump attended the first presidential debate tonight in a rare-for-her look—a mask.
The first lady wore a tailored black suit to the event, which took place at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. She also wore a simple face mask—a widely recommended health precaution to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed over 200,000 Americans so far.
Melania Trump previously addressed the pandemic during her speech at the Republican National Convention in August. “My deepest sympathy goes out to everyone who has lost a loved one, and my prayers are with those who are ill or suffering,” she said. “I know many people are anxious and some feel helpless. I want you to know you are not alone.”
She has also posted mask-wearing PSAs on her Instagram account and has been seen wearing masks during public appearances. Her husband has for the most part refused to wear a mask, despite overwhelming evidence that masks could help stop the pandemic in its tracks. He has also not advocated for a national mask mandate.
On July 23, Ohio governor Mike DeWine signed a mask mandate requiring people over the age of 10 in all 88 Ohio counties to wear masks when “at an indoor location that is not a residence, outdoors, but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members, or waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ride-sharing.” There are exceptions for people with medical conditions, individuals actively exercising or playing sports, religious officiants, those “actively involved in public safety,” or people who are eating or drinking.
Neither Trump nor Biden wore a mask as they came onstage for the event, a choice Politico reported that both parties agreed on before the debate. Politico also reported that the audience would be smaller, and that attendees would be tested for the virus prior to the event.
In the audience, Jill Biden wore a mask, but other attendees who did not include Ivanka Trump, Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and more. A Trump political aide told Glamour that Ivanka and her siblings wore masks entering and exiting the debate and while backstage, only removing them “once they were socially distanced and at their seats” and after receiving negative COVID test results.
This story has been updated.
Originally Appeared on Glamour
