Donald Trump Jr., one of the most recognizable faces in the United States, was widely mocked after he claimed the one reason he'll keep wearing masks when he travels by plane is not to protect himself from COVID-19 but so he can remain anonymous.
Writing on Twitter, Trump Jr. criticized a New York Post report that most Americans support keeping mask mandates in place on public transit.
Jr. said he continues to wear a mask "for anonymity" and "not because I think a small cloth does anything."
Must be a lib poll. I\u2019ve flown out of Miami & Cleveland in the last 2 days and about 90% of people are massless. I\u2019m sitting in an airport now and I can see 60+ people and can count 5 masks including me but I\u2019m wearing one for anonymity not bc I think a small cloth does anythinghttps://twitter.com/nypost/status/1517142549076463618\u00a0\u2026— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1650554347
Later, responding to a tweet from the conservative pundit Michael Knowles who claimed the "best part" about lifting mask mandates is people can point out the number of liberals on flights, Trump Jr. said he'll keep wearing a mask "so I can stay under the radar."
99.99% I\u2019ll keep wearing one so I can stay under the radar.https://twitter.com/michaeljknowles/status/1517168427420499968\u00a0\u2026— Donald Trump Jr. (@Donald Trump Jr.) 1650601365
But as others pointed out, it's not exactly hard to point out Trump Jr. in a crowd.
He was swiftly mocked for his statement.
@DonaldJTrumpJr the mask won\u2019t give you anonymity, your greasy hair gives you away!https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1517161013581340672\u00a0\u2026— Kathleen P. Burke (@Kathleen P. Burke) 1650635749
I think you'll keep wearing one because you are not as stupid as your base worshipers.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1517358220418772992\u00a0\u2026— Bienvenido Ties (@Bienvenido Ties) 1650601548
Be nice to people wearing masks now. \n\nThey may be undercover patriots trying to infiltrate the other side or go unnoticed, like Don Jr.\nhttps://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1517358220418772992\u00a0\u2026— Truth (@Truth) 1650602120
Thanks for covering up your face. Just wondering if your beard grease oozes through your mask?https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1517358220418772992\u00a0\u2026— Sabura (@Sabura) 1650623054
Sure Don you\u2019re probably trying to hide from the authorities who SHOULD be arresting you ASAP\u2026https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1517358220418772992\u00a0\u2026— judi scandiff (@judi scandiff) 1650633303
Dude you do realize that if there\u2019s 120 people on the plan and 10 have masks on it does the opposite of keeping you \u201cunder the radar\u201d? Moron! Also if it\u2019s just the libs that are wearing the masks, then it should prove to you that your idiot father lost the election! ROTFLMFAO https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1517358220418772992\u00a0\u2026— Socially Awkward \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 (@Socially Awkward \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6) 1650641925
Your not wearing a mask for anonymity, your wearing it in case someone would approach u and do something to you, your a coward should anyone tell u off!!!!!https://twitter.com/donaldjtrumpjr/status/1517161013581340672\u00a0\u2026— JW (@JW) 1650559843
egad, Jr. is flying commercial!? or is it some kind of anthropological study.https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/1517161013581340672\u00a0\u2026— allen coffland (@allen coffland) 1650586681
Trump Jr.'s oddball claim came after a federal judge struck down the Biden administration’s mandate that masks be worn aboard planes, trains, buses and other public transportation, creating an immediate change in policy that sent ripple effects through the air and rail travel industries.
However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has different recommendations for different locations and situations dependent on COVID-19 caseloads, crowd density and other factors.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced it will appeal the ruling that struck down the mandate but will not ask a court to stay the decision, which means passengers can continue to travel without masks while the mandate is litigated.
In a statement, the DOJ said it and the CDC "disagree with the district court’s decision and will appeal, subject to CDC’s conclusion that the order remains necessary for public health."