California Governor Gavin Newsom, an alleged proponent of wearing masks and stopping churches from meeting, was caught in pictures at an indoors, mask-free party earlier this month. As the footage came to light this week, some media outlets simply ignored it. CBS This Morning co-host Tony Dokoupil, however, was appalled, slamming the “arrogant” hypocrisy of it all. Democratic donor/co-host Gayle King, of course, spun for Newsom.
As he showed pictures of him sitting, mask free, close to others, Vlad Duthiers explained, “No one at the table was wearing a mask or social distancing, something Newsom encouraged people to do as COVID cases surge.” After pointing out that Newsom had, at first, falsely claimed the event was outdoors, Dokoupil excoriated, “They're at French Laundry, which is a very fancy place, $400 a seat. And if you want to talk about top notes, top notes of hypocrisy, of arrogance, of elitism.”
King typically attempted to spin for the Democrat: "I think even he agrees the optics aren't good. He says, ‘I made a mistake.’ He really isn’t trying to justify.” A still-annoyed Dokoupil shot back: “But you ask yourself, when you walked in, realized it wasn't outdoors, no one was wearing a mask, how come you didn’t walk out?”
King was shamed into adding, “But it is not good.”
ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today ignored the Democratic hypocrisy, as they have been for the last few days.
Gayle King’s attempt at Democratic spin was sponsored by Cadillac.
A transcript is below. Click “expand” to read more.
CBS This Morning
11/19/2020
7:48:57 to 7:50:46
VLAD DUTHIERS: Newly released photos call into question California Governor Gavin Newsom's account of a large dinner party he attended. Los Angeles station KTTB obtained the photo showing Newsome at the event earlier this month for Jason Kinney, Newsom’s long time political pal. No one at the table was wearing a mask or social distancing, something Newsom encouraged people to do as COVID cases surge. Now, earlier, Newsom apologized and said the dinner was outdoors. But check out these images. They appear to suggest otherwise.
GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM: It was to be an outdoor restaurant. I can quibble about guidelines, but the spirit of what I was preaching all the time was contradicting and I have got to own that.
DUTHIERS: A spokesperson for Kenney told KTTV the eating area was confirmed as outdoor seating by the restaurant and all applicable public guidelines were followed. Newsom hasn't returned a request for comment. You know guys, like so many other Americans, Marion and I are having the really heartbreaking discussion with our parents, telling why we can't do Thanksgiving in person. And when you see images like this, it is disappointing, do as I say, not as I do.
DOKOUPIL: They're at French Laundry, which is a very fancy place, $400 a seat. And if you want to talk about top notes, top notes of hypocrisy, of arrogance, of elitism.
MASON: There were two high level members of the California Medical Association at the dinner, which is upsetting people as well.
GAYLE KING: I think even he agrees the optics aren't good. He says “I made a mistake.” He really isn’t trying to justify.
DOKOUPIL: He’s not trying to —
KING: But it is not good.
DOKOUPIL: — But you ask yourself, when you walked in, realized it wasn't outdoors, no one was wearing a mask, how come you didn’t walk out?
DUTHIERS: The White House event for Amy Coney Barrett was outdoors.
KING: He’s asking that question. He’s asking that question too.
