MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson Presses Pence’s Chief of Staff on Lack of Covid Testing Prior to the RNC

MSNBC’s Hallie Jackson tangled with Marc Short, Mike Pence’s Chief of Staff, regarding the lack of coronavirus precautions taken during the vice president’s RNC speech on Wednesday night.

Jackson asked if everyone was tested for the coronavirus prior to the speech, especially because Pence and President Donald Trump spontaneously greeted unmasked veterans who had attended, even fist-bumping at least one.

“The people backstage with the vice president and vice president were tested, others were given guidance and their seating was socially distanced and gave guidance on masks and also some other measures, temperature checks taken beforehand,” Short responded. “But you know, Hallie, I do think because the vice president gave such a strong speech and laid out such a stark difference it’s no surprise the media wants to focus on mask shaming this morning.”

Jackson took issue with the claim that she was “mask shaming” those who attended the convention speech and called Short out for avoiding the question. Short responded by pointing out that the man Pence fist-bumped was a wounded veteran — noting that the vice president would not turn down the gesture.

“I don’t think anybody has an issue with that. The question is were the people in those front rows or in the entire audience Covid tested. It’s not a tough question, Marc,” Jackson responded.

Short insisted he answered the question while Jackson argued that he hadn’t, and only spoke for the coronavirus tests taken by those backstage.

“So, no Covid testing then, let’s just put this in plain English,” Jackson offered.

“There were some that weren’t and it was not universal because again, the buffer was there to keep the president and vice president from the rest of the crowd,” Short responded.

Watch above, via MSNBC.