President Donald Trump's exchange with a reporter who was wearing a mask has thrown social media users for a loop.
Trump was speaking in the Oval Office on Monday (24 March), where it was announced that he'd signed a new executive order imposing 25 per cent tariffs on imports of automobiles and certain auto parts.
He indicated that this order was to end unfair trade practices and protect US national security, Sky News Australia reports.
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However, the 78-year-old Republican then drew attention to a journalist wearing a mask.
"You know I haven’t seen a mask in so long, you’re wearing a mask, so nice of you," Trump said. "I haven’t seen anybody wearing a mask in a long time."
He continued: "That's so nice of you. I haven't seen anybody wearing a mask in a long time, it's good. You feel more comfortable right? Good, that’s good."
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After catching light of the clip which has been making its rounds across social media, a fierce debate broke out as some people were convinced Trump's remarks were a sarcastic jab at the reporter.
"Who’s wearing a mask in 2025!! Love his sarcasm," hit out one Instagram user.
A second piped up: "He's so right Who wears a mask anymore especially if you're a reporter. Grow up."
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"Funniest president ever!" gushed a third, while a fourth oddly congratulated: "I like how he made fun of the reporter. Nice job."
Others, however, made sure to defend the reporter's decision to wear a face mask.
A fifth person explained: "Y'all know people were those masks when their [sic] sick and don’t wanna spread sickness right? It’s not just a covid thing."
"People seem to forget that there’s two reasons that you wear a mask, possibly to help protect yourself (especially if you’re immune compromised) but also to protect others." echoed a sixth.
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A seventh chimed in: "Picture a president who’s decided to pick on someone simply because they’re wearing a mask - what a classy move, right? It’s like he thinks mocking others for taking precautions is a national pastime!"
"What if the reporter was sick attempting to protect you. Ever thought of that?" pointed out someone else.
However, some clearly didn't agree with either side of the argument as they were utterly convinced that Trump's comments were 100 per cent genuine.
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"Trump’s being nice!" maintained one fan, while a second wrote: "Wow just wow leave him alone!"
And a final Instagram user hit out: "He minded his manners!"
It's a bit nicer than his prior exchange with a reporter wearing a mask back in 2020, where he demanded that Jeff Mason, a journalist for Reuters, remove his mask because his speech was 'muffled' - a request which Mason refused, The Independent reported.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News
Rhiannon Ingle