Trump supporter kicked off American Airlines flight for refusing to wear face mask

A passenger has been kicked off an American Airlines flight after he refused to wear a face mask.

Brandon Straka, a supporter of president Trump, who describes himself as a “former liberal,” tweeted that he had been removed from an American Airlines flight, after refusing to follow their guidelines.

On Monday, American Airlines published a news release, where they reiterated that their policy is that all passengers need to wear a face mask when on board one of their flights.

They added: “Some passengers are exempt from the face covering requirement, such as young children and those with a disability or medical reason for why they cannot wear a face covering. The policy also does not apply while eating or drinking.”

Mr Straka tweeted on Wednesday: “I was just removed from my flight for not wearing a mask. 1st time this has happened. Not a federal law.

“@AmericanAir staff standing over me telling me it’s THE LAW. So much for ‘please respect those who can not wear a mask’. When I pointed out this wasn’t a law I was removed.”

Mr Straka added: “Entire episode is filmed. AFTER removing me flight manager says- they made a mistake. They had no right to ask you that.”

After he was kicked off the flight, Mr Straka, recorded a video on Periscope, detailing what happened on the flight.

He said that nobody asked him on the plane if he had a condition that prevented him from wearing a mask, and added that American Airlines staff apologised to him for not asking him that while on the flight.

Mr Straka added: “This is insane, absolutely insane. We don’t even have a choice anymore. It’s not the law, as you know, it’s not the law.”

Astead W Herndon, a journalist at the New York Times, said: “He just got off the plane and ppl applauded lmaooo.”

In a video he recorded while onboard the flight, a second man could be heard arguing with airline staff, saying that they also didn’t feel like they needed to wear a mask.

Mr Herndon added that the flight was heading to Tulsa, via Dallas, where Mr Trump is holding a rally on Saturday.

On Monday, Mr Straka tweeted that he had managed to get tickets for the rally, and said that he would be arriving there early to conduct interviews.

Mr Straka tweeted: “I’m not by nature easy to impress-but Lordy, Lordy-I just got confirmation of my tix to the Tulsa Trump rally & I am giddy as a damn school girl!!! This is going to be EHHHHPIC!!!I’m going to arrive early to do interviews & hug EVERY. DAMN. ONE. OF. YOU.”

The Independent has reached out to both Mr Herndon and Mr Straka for comment.

American Airlines confirmed to the Independent that Mr Straka was kicked off a flight to Dallas on Wednesday.

They said: “Prior to the departure from the gate of American Airlines flight 1263 from New York’s LaGuardia to Dallas/Fort Worth, Brandon Straka declined to wear a face covering.

“After he refused to comply with the instructions provided by the flight crew, our team members asked him to deplane. He deplaned and the flight departed the gate four minutes late at 12:34pm ET.”

They added: “Mr. Straka stated to our airport team members that he would comply with our policies, and was rebooked on a later flight. Our team is reviewing this incident, and we are reaching out to Mr. Straka to get more information.”