Joe Biden visited Detroit, Michigan to promote his infrastructure bill and deliver a speech to locals about its benefits. But a video emerged of the US President happily shaking hands with strangers and conversing with them outside without a mask but then choosing to wear one when he took a photo. Mr Biden split opinions with one side claiming he only wears masks for show with the other cutting him a break and explaining the woman he was with was not wearing a mask also.
Video shows Mr Biden shaking hands and getting close to people’s faces as he makes his way down a crowd of masked people.
Supporters could be seen speaking with Mr Biden and taking photos with him until he got to a maskless woman at the end.
The woman asked for a selfie with Mr Biden pulling out a mask to wear and then kept it on for the rest of the walk.
Viewers were confused at the events with some questioning why he did not have a mask on in the first place.
@JohnAyr12294351 commented: “No one is in the least bit surprised when ‘do as I say, not as I do’ becomes the standard in messaging.”
@SuspendedMurphy pointed out: “Republicans don’t even wear masks in Congress.”
Twitter user Jeff Trent simply commented: “Optics.”
John Ayres said: “No one is in the least bit surprised when ‘do as I say, not as I do’ becomes the standard in messaging.”
And Susanne Sezs added: “Did Joey get tired of the fake mandates too?”
Mr Biden repeatedly called for a nationwide mask mandate last year at the height of the pandemic and continues to encourage states to uphold it in enclosed public spaces.
It is not the first time Mr Biden has been attacked for his mask mandate and the way he follows the rules.
Mr Biden could be heard muttering he had to “take orders”.
The US head of state also took an electric vehicle out for a spin but appeared to push his foot down on the pedal which made it accelerate fast with the car’s wheels spinning.
He joked to reporters if anyone wanted to get in the back.
During his speech, Mr Biden discussed his infrastructure bill which includes investment into electric vehicles.
He said: “We’re going to make sure that the jobs of the future end up here in Michigan, not halfway around the world.
“Here in Detroit, we’re going to set a new pace for electric vehicles. This is not hyperbole. It’s a fact.”