CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — Fox News anchor Chris Wallace Sunday slammed members of the first family and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows for not wearing masks at the first presidential debate in Cleveland Tuesday, Time reports.
In an interview with campaign adviser Steve Cortes on “Fox News Sunday,” he pointed out that only he, President Donald Trump and Vice President Joe Biden were exempt from the rule that attendees wear masks.
“Everybody was told to wear a mask. Why did the first family and chief of staff feel that the rules for everybody else didn’t apply to them,” he asked.
Cortes pointed out that all in attendance were tested before the debate. He also said “we also believe in some element of individual choice.”
“There was no freedom of choice,” Wallace replied. “They broke the rules.”
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: Daughter of President Trump Tiffany Trump arrives at the first presidential debate between Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the first of three planned debates between the two candidates in the lead up to the election on November 3. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) 
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: First lady Melania Trump (L), Ivanka Trump (C), and Eric Trump (R) arrive to the presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the first of three planned debates between the two candidates in the lead up to the election on November 3. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) 
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: First lady Melania Trump (L) and Ivanka Trump arrive to the presidential debate between President Trump and Joe Biden at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the first of three planned debates between the two candidates in the lead up to the election on November 3. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) 
(From top) Eric Trump, son of the US President, daughter and Senior Advisor to the US President Ivanka Trump, US First Lady Melania Trump, daughter of the US President Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr., son of the US President, are seen ahead of the first presidential debate at the Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2020. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) 
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: President Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. arrives at the presidential debate between Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the first of three planned debates between the two candidates in the lead up to the election on November 3. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) 
Eric Trump and Senior Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump arrive for the first presidential debate at the Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio on September 29, 2020. (Photo by Olivier Douliery / POOL / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) 
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: White House Advisor and daughter of President Trump Ivanka Trump arrives at the presidential debate between Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the first of three planned debates between the two candidates in the lead up to the election on November 3. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) 
CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 29: Eric Trump and Senior Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump arrive for the first presidential debate between U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden at the Health Education Campus of Case Western Reserve University on September 29, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. This is the first of three planned debates between the two candidates in the lead up to the election on November 3. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images)
In the past week, President Trump and First Lady Melania along with several other Washington officials and lawmakers, some of whom did not attend the debate, have tested positive for coronavirus.
The Cleveland Clinic released a statement Friday afternoon about the president’s positive coronavirus test, debate safety, and what their guidelines were for the debates:
“As health advisor to the Commission on Presidential Debates and the host site, we had several requirements to maintain a safe environment that align with CDC guidelines – including temperature checks, hand sanitizing, social distancing and masking. Most importantly, everyone permitted inside the debate hall tested negative for COVID-19 prior to entry. Individuals traveling with both candidates, including the candidates themselves, had been tested and tested negative by their respective campaigns.
Based on what we know about the virus and the safety measures we had in place, we believe there is low risk of exposure to our guests. Out of an abundance of caution we are reaching out to our guests to address any questions and concerns, as well as offering testing. We will continue to monitor the information being released by the White House.”
FOX 8 asked the Cleveland Clinic about photos that show members of the First Family sitting in the audience without masks. They did not respond to our questions.
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