Newsom Attempts to Give Defense After Maskless Photo Circulates
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) attempted to defend himself after photos surfaced showing him maskless at an NFL game in Los Angeles. Newsom told reporters at a news conference basketball star Magic Johnson was…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) attempted to defend himself after photos surfaced showing him maskless at an NFL game in Los Angeles.
Newsom told reporters at a news conference basketball star Magic Johnson was “generous enough to ask me for a photograph. And in my left hand’s the mask and I took a photo.”
He added, “The rest of the time I wore it as we all should.”
Another reporter continued to press him on the issue, asking if Newsom should have reconsidered taking the mask off “for the photo, for the image, the message that it might send.”
Newsom replied, “I was trying to be gracious, and I made a mist — you know, I mean, I was trying to be gracious.”
He continued, “I took the mask off for a brief second. But I encourage people to continue to wear them.”
Check out his comments below:
In case you missed it:
CNN noted the Los Angeles County mask mandate requires individuals to wear masks indoors and at large sporting events regardless of vaccination status.
Others criticized Newsom for failing to wear a mask around Johnson who has HIV.
Newsom previously received criticism after photos of the governor surfaced showing him at a dinner party in November 2020, appearing to violate COVID-19 protocols.
The woman who took the photos told