Melania Trump Will Apparently Wear a Face Mask — Even if the President Won't

Kimberly Truong
·2 min read

Melania Trump is encouraging Americans to wear face masks and cloth coverings to protect themselves and each other from the coronavirus — though her husband President Donald Trump has said he won't be wearing one.

On Thursday, the first lady shared a photo of herself in a white surgical mask, writing, "As the CDC studies the spread of #COVID-19, they recommend people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when social distancing can be hard to do. Remember, this does NOT replace the importance of social distancing."

She had also shared a video PSA on the matter, calling the face masks "a recommended guideline to keep us all safe."

The CDC is now recommending that people wear cloth face coverings in public to reduce the risk of spreading illness, cautioning, "The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker."

RELATED: Melania Trump Spoke Out in a PSA About Coronavirus

Announcing the new recommendation last week, President Trump said, "I just don't want to wear one myself, it's a recommendation. Somehow sitting in the Oval Office behind that beautiful Resolute Desk, the great Resolute Desk, I think wearing a face mask as I greet presidents, dictators, kings, queens, I don't know, I don't see it for myself."

When asked about her tweet at a press briefing on Sunday, President Trump said, "It's good, no, she feels that way. She likes the idea of wearing it, yeah she does. A lot of people do. Again, it's a recommendation, and I understand that recommendation, and I'm ok with it."

Despite the mixed messaging coming from the first family, the CDC has been clear about the recommendation regarding masks and face coverings. You should wear one if you are going to be outside to protect yourself and others.