This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/518426-john-kerry-mask-plane-hypocrite/

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
John Kerry caught flouting Biden’s mask mandate on flight, dismisses ‘elite hypocrite’ accusations as ‘malarkey’ John Kerry caught flouting Biden’s mask mandate on flight, dismisses ‘elite hypocrite’ accusations as ‘malarkey’
(6 months later)
US special climate envoy John Kerry is under fire after he was spotted without a mask on board a flight, prompting American Airlines to investigate the matter as critics condemn the failed presidential candidate for hypocrisy.US special climate envoy John Kerry is under fire after he was spotted without a mask on board a flight, prompting American Airlines to investigate the matter as critics condemn the failed presidential candidate for hypocrisy.
A mostly maskless Kerry was photographed by a fellow passenger while on a flight from Boston to DC on Wednesday, with the image first obtained by the Tennessee Star. At the time, he was reportedly not eating or drinking, thereby violating President Joe Biden’s federal mask mandate, which applies to all forms of interstate travel. A mostly maskless Kerry was photographed by a fellow passenger while on a flight from Boston to DC on Wednesday, with the image first obtained by the Tennessee Star. At the time, he was reportedly not eating or drinking, thereby violating President Joe Biden’s federal mask mandate, which applies to all forms of interstate travel. 
Alerted to the photo, American Airlines vowed to “look into” the incident in multiple Twitter posts, also giving a separate statement to media outlets later on Wednesday evening noting that the company would contact Kerry to reiterate its mask policies.Alerted to the photo, American Airlines vowed to “look into” the incident in multiple Twitter posts, also giving a separate statement to media outlets later on Wednesday evening noting that the company would contact Kerry to reiterate its mask policies.
“The crew did not observe Secretary Kerry without a mask, and they were not alerted by other customers to a non-compliance issue,” an airline spokesperson said. “We continue to review the matter and we are reaching out to Secretary Kerry to underscore that all customers are expected to wear masks for the duration of their trip.”“The crew did not observe Secretary Kerry without a mask, and they were not alerted by other customers to a non-compliance issue,” an airline spokesperson said. “We continue to review the matter and we are reaching out to Secretary Kerry to underscore that all customers are expected to wear masks for the duration of their trip.”
The airline’s apparently permissive attitude toward the high-profile politician differs sharply from its treatment of its less powerful customers, booting a family of 20 off a flight earlier this year for a minor mask infraction.The airline’s apparently permissive attitude toward the high-profile politician differs sharply from its treatment of its less powerful customers, booting a family of 20 off a flight earlier this year for a minor mask infraction.
The passenger who snapped the hot-button photo, who asked not to be named, told Fox News that Kerry had worn his mask before boarding the plane, but removed it soon after finding his seat and only put it back on later in the flight. They heaped mocking praise on the ex-secretary of state.The passenger who snapped the hot-button photo, who asked not to be named, told Fox News that Kerry had worn his mask before boarding the plane, but removed it soon after finding his seat and only put it back on later in the flight. They heaped mocking praise on the ex-secretary of state.
“I salute our Very Special Presidential Envoy for Climate for not flying private, but instead flying first class commercial with the rest of us common folk,” joked the passenger. “And while he can’t bring himself to follow his own party’s mask restrictions, we should cut him some slack.”“I salute our Very Special Presidential Envoy for Climate for not flying private, but instead flying first class commercial with the rest of us common folk,” joked the passenger. “And while he can’t bring himself to follow his own party’s mask restrictions, we should cut him some slack.”
Kerry himself stepped in to address the controversy later on Wednesday night, rejecting the allegations as “malarkey” in a distinctly Biden-esque statement. Kerry himself stepped in to address the controversy later on Wednesday night, rejecting the allegations as “malarkey” in a distinctly Biden-esque statement. 
“Let’s be clear: If I dropped my mask to one ear on a flight, it was momentary. I wear my mask because it saves lives and stops the spread. It’s what the science tells us to do,” Kerry said.“Let’s be clear: If I dropped my mask to one ear on a flight, it was momentary. I wear my mask because it saves lives and stops the spread. It’s what the science tells us to do,” Kerry said.
Another netizen claiming to have sat adjacent to the climate envoy on the flight, Bryce Strahorn, also weighed in, saying Kerry pulled his mask to one ear only briefly and that the flight was “fairly empty.” The passenger also told the New York Post’s Steven Nelson in a Twitter exchange that Kerry had shook hands with others on the plane, though didn’t clarify whether he did so while his mask was off.Another netizen claiming to have sat adjacent to the climate envoy on the flight, Bryce Strahorn, also weighed in, saying Kerry pulled his mask to one ear only briefly and that the flight was “fairly empty.” The passenger also told the New York Post’s Steven Nelson in a Twitter exchange that Kerry had shook hands with others on the plane, though didn’t clarify whether he did so while his mask was off.
While Kerry was vaccinated against the coronavirus last month, American Airlines policy, as well as Biden’s federal mandate, do not exempt those who’ve received the inoculation.While Kerry was vaccinated against the coronavirus last month, American Airlines policy, as well as Biden’s federal mandate, do not exempt those who’ve received the inoculation.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.