Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a fierce opponent of coronavirus mask and vaccine mandates, became annoyed and scolded a group of students for wearing face masks at a news conference.



DeSantis, a Republican, approached the students on Wednesday, March 2, and asked them to remove their masks as they waited for him at the news conference at the University of South Florida in Tampa.



"You do not have to wear those masks. I mean, please take them off. Honestly, it’s not doing anything. We’ve got to stop with this COVID theater. So if you wanna wear it, fine, but this is ridiculous," he said before sighing and shaking his head.



DeSantis is running for reelection and is considered to be a potential 2024 GOP presidential candidate. His opposition to masks and vaccines has drawn national attention, and his administration has banned mask mandates in schools.