Trump blasts Michigan AG over concern he didn’t wear mask at Ford plant

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Donald Trump holds up a protective face shield during a tour of the Ford Rawsonville Components Plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
REUTERS/Leah Millis

President Trump slammed Michigan’s attorney general on Twitter after she said she would have a “very serious conversation” with Ford Motor Co. for allowing him to visit an Ypsilanti plant without wearing a mask.

“The Wacky Do Nothing Attorney General of Michigan, Dana Nessel, is viciously threatening Ford Motor Company for the fact that I inspected a Ventilator plant without a mask,” the president said in a tweet.

“Not their fault, & I did put on a mask. No wonder many auto companies left Michigan, until I came along!” he added.

Trump did wear a mask in one part of the plant but refused to wear it in front of reporters, Fox News reported.

“I had one on before,” Trump told reporters during his visit. “I wore one on in this back area. I didn’t want to give the press the pleasure of seeing it. In the back area I did have a mask on. I had goggles and a mask right back there.”

At least one photographer shot a photo that was posted on social media showing Trump wearing a mask that featured the presidential seal, according to Fox News.

Nessel said the state would speak to Ford about the violation of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order requiring masks in enclosed public spaces.

“They knew exactly what the order was and if they permitted anyone, even the president of the United States, to defy that order, I think it has serious health consequences potentially to their workers,” Nessel said on CNN.

She also said she hoped Michigan voters “will remember this when November comes, that he didn’t care enough about their safety, he didn’t care about their welfare, he didn’t respect them enough just to engage in the very simple task, the painless task, the easy task of wearing a mask when he was provided one.”

In another tweet, Trump suggested that Ford might leave Michigan.

“Do nothing A.G. of the Great State of Michigan, Dana Nessel, should not be taking her anger and stupidity out on Ford Motor – they might get upset with you and leave the state, like so many other companies have – until I came along and brought business back to Michigan. JOBS!” he wrote.

Nessel later responded to the president on Twitter.

“Hi! After struggling with our Gov & SOS, impressed you know my name,” she wrote.

“Seems like you have a problem with all 3 women who run MI-as well as your ability to tell the truth. The auto industry has been thriving for years bc of our incredible auto workers & companies.”

She added that it was hard to say she’s done nothing “with all the lawsuits myself and the other @DemocraticAGs have filed and won against you.”