Not Trump-Quality Lying

On Friday morning we were informed

All of us who traveled with him were notified by the office of @VP the day before the trip that wearing of masks was required by the @MayoClinic and to prepare accordingly. https://t.co/LFqh27LusD

— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) April 30, 2020

Once the controversy arose, the Mayo(nnaise) Clinic deleted its tweet because in the Age of Trump, anybody who is anybody is eager to be intimidated. However, admission or not from the hospital, we know either Karen or Mike is lying because on Tuesday the Vice-President had told reporters

As vice president of the United States, I'm tested for the coronavirus on a regular basis, and everyone who is around me is tested for the coronavirus.  And since I don't have the coronavirus, I thought it'd be a good opportunity for me to be here, to be able to speak to these researchers, these incredible health care personnel, and look them in the eye and say 'thank you.'

Karen and Mike: get your stories straight!

It's a near certainty that either Pence himself was directly told by someone at the hospital or his staff was directly told.

Pence may have thought that if he wore a mask, he would appear to be insufficiently masculine to a President who adores the tough-guy image. Alternatively, the Vice-President may have believed that had he worn a mask, Trump himself would be queried as to why by contrast he does not wear one.  (Recall that in the spring of 2012, Vice-President Biden came out in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. Within two weeks, President Biden suddenly had "evolved.")

And so the press can choose between two obvious questions to pose to Pence at the next dog-and-pony show disguised as a task force briefing.  One possibility: "why is your wife implying you weren't aware of the need to wear a mask at the hospital when you've stated that you intentionally did not do so, in order to communicate better with patients?" If Pence says that he wasn't told that he must wear a mask, he should be asked who on his staff was responsible to convey the information, and when that person will be fired.

 Another: "why do you believe that a visit to a hospital in the midst of a pandemic, when Americans are urged both to wear a mask and to practice social distancing, were you unaware that being there without one would be setting a bad example for Americans?"

As usual, there are two keys: the reporter responding to whatever answer the Administration official gives, which often happens; and for the next reporter who is given the microphone to follow-up on that question.

That virtually never occurs and is one reason that although the Emperor- and his sycophants- have no clothes, that simple truth is largely hidden from voters.

Karen Pence now claims Mike Pence didn't know Mayo Clinic required visitors to wear masks. Previously, Pence said he didn't wear a mask because he wanted to look people "in the eye." pic.twitter.com/VGCzSrnrP3

— The American Independent (@AmerIndependent) April 30, 2020

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