John Kerry Defends Mask-Off Flight Photo As American Airlines Says They Are ‘Looking Into’ Incident

Sarah RumpfMar 18th, 2021, 10:55 am
 
john kerry mask plane

Screenshot via Twitter.

Climate Czar John Kerry is defending himself after a viral photo showed him on an American Airlines flight with his face mask dangling on his ear, and the airline says they are investigating the incident.

One of President Joe Biden’s first acts after his inauguration was to sign an executive order requiring masks in all federal buildings and transportation like airplanes. Under the rules issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), violators can face fines of $250 for a first offense, up to $1,500 for repeat violations. Several airlines have also compiled their own “no fly lists” for passengers who refused to wear masks on their planes.

The photo of Kerry, Biden’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, was widespread on Twitter Wednesday, especially after Donald Trump Jr. shared it from his account.”SPOTTED: Liberal hypocrite & Biden Admin official @JohnKerry flouting @JoeBiden’s Federal mask mandate,” wrote Trump, adding that Kerry was a “#LiberalHypocrite” and asking if he would be fined or banned from flying.

Kerry defended himself, calling the online kerfuffle “malarkey,” claiming that “it was momentary” that his mask was hanging from his ear, and adding a pro-mask message.

Multiple Twitter users tweeted the photo at American Airlines, which replied confirming that they did require masks on board their aircraft, and are “looking into” the episode.

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Sarah Rumpf - Contributing Editor

Sarah Rumpf joined Mediaite in 2020 and is a Contributing Editor focusing on politics, law, and the media. A native Floridian, Sarah attended the University of Florida, graduating with a double major in Political Science and German, and earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the UF College of Law. Sarah's writing has been featured at National Review, The Daily Beast, Reason, Law&Crime, Independent Journal Review, Texas Monthly, The Capitolist, Breitbart Texas, Townhall, RedState, The Orlando Sentinel, and the Austin-American Statesman, and her political commentary has led to appearances on television, radio, and podcast programs across the globe. Follow Sarah on Threads, Twitter, and Bluesky.