Stacey Abrams’s Epic Face (Mask) Plant

Usually when social-media scamps accuse one another of an “epic fail,” they’re referring to some minor infraction, some small blind spot or light mangling of facts. This was not the case with Stacey Abrams’s historic blunder at Glennwood Elementary in Decatur, Ga. Such was the epic scope of Abrams’s miscalculation that it’s in Ben-Hur/The Ten Commandments territory. When it comes to political debacle, Abrams is the new Charlton Heston.

What a photo! Abrams, the only person at serious risk in the room, is the only one not wearing a mask. Surrounding her are kids who are at more risk of dying in a car crash than from Covid-19, and yet they’re all wearing masks. Why? Because she’s more powerful and important than they are. It was as if Marie Antoinette showed up for a “listening tour” meeting with the shop stewards of Starving Peasantry, Inc., and proceeded to stuff her face with gâteaux aux cérises et mascarpone as the rest of them listened to the sound of their rumbling bellies.

About the Author

Kyle Smith

Kyle Smith is the film critic for the Wall Street Journal.

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Usually when social-media scamps accuse one another of an “epic fail,” they’re referring to some minor infraction, some small blind spot or light mangling of facts. This was not the case with Stacey Abrams’s historic blunder at Glennwood Elementary in Decatur, Ga. Such was the epic scope of Abrams’s miscalculation that it’s in Ben-Hur/The Ten Commandments territory. When it comes to political debacle, Abrams is the new Charlton Heston.

What a photo! Abrams, the only person at serious risk in the room, is the only one not wearing a mask. Surrounding her are kids who are at more risk of dying in a car crash than from Covid-19, and yet they’re all wearing masks. Why? Because she’s more powerful and important than they are. It was as if Marie Antoinette showed up for a “listening tour” meeting with the shop stewards of Starving Peasantry, Inc., and proceeded to stuff her face with gâteaux aux cérises et mascarpone as the rest of them listened to the sound of their rumbling bellies.