DeSantis tells students they can take off their masks, fumes over 'COVID theater' in viral video

A short video clip showing Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis fuming over "COVID theater" and telling high school students they can remove their masks has gone viral online.

In the clip — which has already been viewed millions of times — an obviously annoyed DeSantis is seen approaching a podium where a group of masked students are standing in the backdrop of the camera shot.

"You do not have to wear those masks," he tells the students, who start to chuckle.

"I mean, please take them off," he continues. "Honestly, it's not doing anything. We've gotta stop with this COVID theater. So if you wanna wear it, fine, but this is ridiculous."

Several students responded to the governor's request by removing their masks, while at least one student chose to keep their mask on.

The exchange took place Wednesday afternoon at the University of South Florida where DeSantis was scheduled to announce state funding for cybersecurity education, according to WFLA-TV, which first reported on the governor's remarks.

In a report, the outlet claimed that DeSantis "scold[ed]" the students. But the clip appears to show the governor's frustration was not aimed at the students but at the societal pressure, in general, that resulted in their wearing face coverings.

When reached for comment, DeSantis' team stood by the governor's message.

"As the governor said, ‘you can wear them if you want’ but there’s ‘no evidence’ masks make any difference," said press secretary Christina Pushaw. "That has been clear for a long time, and the data informed our state’s official guidance."

"Following Florida, the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] has even stopped recommending mask wearing for most Americans," Pushaw added. "After two years of mixed messages from health authorities and the media, the governor wants to make sure everyone is aware of the facts and data now, so they can feel free and comfortable without a mask."

In a statement to Fox News, Pushaw said, "The kids laughed after he said it. They knew he wasn’t frustrated with them but with the peer pressure around masking in schools."

Fox also reported that the clip immediately elicited a positive response from some conservative commentators online.

Outkick's Clay Travis tweeted, "This is phenomenal" while his fellow radio host Buck Sexton added, "This is the correct attitude toward mask wearing."