Gov. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark., said Sunday President Donald Trump’s messages on mask wearing has been “confusing,” and urged that he “lead by example.”
In an interview on CBS News’ “Face The Nation,” Hutchinson praised the president for reinforcing CDC advised guidelines to wear a mask, stay socially distant and do frequent hand-washing to contain the spread of COVID-19.
“He’s made it very clear that wearing a mask is important,” Hutchinson said.
“But obviously with the rallies, there is confusing messages there.”
Mask-wearing has been sparse at some Trump rallies, and the president often mocks challenger Joe Biden for his mask wearing.
“A president and leaders in a crisis, [must] number one be truthful and realistic,” he said. “Secondly you got to give the American people hope.”
According to Hutchinson, “they’re working hard at the White House level but the communication is important as well.”
“Primarily it’s individual responsibility of our citizens to do what is necessary and pull together,” Hutchinson urged, adding there’s “increased usage of masks in Arkansas in compliance with a mask mandate.”
The governor also called for more civil discourse, decrying the “lock her up” chant at Trump rallies — once aimed at Hillary Clinton — now targeting Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
“That’s not a chant I would ever participate in,” Hutchinson said. “We need to have a more civil discourse even though it’s a hotly contested presidential race, we need to lead by example.”
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