Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Trump refused to wear Covid mask because it smudged his bronzer, former aide claims

Mr Trump repeatedly refused to wear a mask throughout the pandemic and downplayed the dangerous effects of the virus

Kelly Rissman
Thursday 21 September 2023 18:47 EDT
Comments
Donald Trump addresses election rigging in Meet the Press interview

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Former President Donald Trump refused to wear a Covid-19 face mask because his bronzer was noticeable on the straps, Cassidy Hutchinson, a former aide to Mark Meadows, claims in her new book.

Ms Hutchinson recounted one incident in May 2020 — just two months after the WHO declared a Covid-19 pandemic — in which the former president was visiting a Honeywell factory that produced masks, according to The Guardian.

During that visit, Mr Trump didn’t wear a mask in the facility — as the company played a cover of Paul McCartney’s song Live and Let Die.

The then-president said that he “had a mask on for a period of time” but that he didn’t wear one after talking to the “head of Honeywell,” who told him he didn’t need one.

But Ms Hutchinson told a different version of the story; Mr Trump “decided on a white mask,” and then asked staffers what they thought of it.

“I slowly shook my head,” she recalled. “The president pulled the mask off and asked why I thought he should not wear it.” She pointed to her N95 mask’s straps, prompting him to look at his own, which is when Mr Trump “saw they were covered in bronzer.”

“Why did no one else tell me that,” he said. “I’m not wearing this thing.”

“The press would criticise him for not wearing a mask,” the former aide wrote, “not knowing that the depth of his vanity had caused him to reject masks – and then millions of his fans followed suit.”

Mr Trump repeatedly refused to wear a mask throughout the pandemic and downplayed the dangerous effects of the virus.

The former president also touted many conspiracy theories about the virus, like suggesting that disinfectants could treat coronavirus.

“Once you do recover, you’re immune,” Mr Trump said after recovering from his bout with the virus, boasting about his “protective glow” of immunity.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in