President Donald Trump singled out San Francisco Chronicle Washington correspondent Shira Stein for wearing a COVID mask in the Oval Office, remarking, “You’re wearing a mask! So nice of you!”
Trump — who wore a mask sporadically during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — made a habit of mocking reporters for wearing masks as the precaution became the subject of MAGA cultural derision. But masks are still recommended for individuals at high risk of harm from the disease.
At an Oval Office event on Wednesday, Trump took questions from reporters, including Stein — who was the print pooler for the day and has previously shared on X/Twitter that she is a high-risk individual.
Trump interrupted her question to make observations about her mask:
SHIRA STEIN: Mr. President, you said you want to return education control to the states, how would you handle it if a state like California were to put in place education policies that you don’t agree with?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: You know, I haven’t seen a mask in so long! You’re wearing a mask! So nice of you!
I haven’ seen anybody wearing a mask in a long time. It’s good. You feel more comfortable, right?
SHIRA STEIN: Yes.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Good. That’s good. So go ahead.
SHIRA STEIN: You said you want to return education control to the states. How would you handle it if a state like California were to put in place education policies you disagree with?
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: Well, I think that California is going to be tougher because they are– they’re doing badly on everything they do. You know, everything they touch turns bad. So a place like California would be tougher for education.
But what I would see with California is you’d have a Los Angeles department and you’d had Riverside. You’d have, you know, you’d go to various places. And I think you’d some great areas in California, and then you’d something like everything else that doesn’t work so well.
But ultimately, I think it would be very successful.
Watch above via The White House.
