Ben Affleck‘s daughter, Violet, became the target of online trolling after she was seen not wearing her mask while out with her mother, Jennifer Garner.
The college student had been away for the past few months but recently returned home for the summer holidays. She joined her mother and younger brother, Samuel, for a casual trip to grab ice cream at a nearby creamery.
In recent years, Violet Affleck has advocated for mask-wearing and criticized those who have called for a ban on masks, leading to her getting scrutinized for her stance.
Violet Affleck made the rare decision to remove her mask during an outing with her mother, Jennifer Garner, and brother Samuel after returning home from college for the summer holidays.
However, the gesture led to her being mocked by netizens after images from the outing, obtained by the Daily Mail, hit the internet.
The negative reaction from critics online was likely a result of Violet’s pro-mask stance, especially as she has consistently spoken against calls to ban masks while demanding renewed COVID-19 protections.
In a sarcastic comment poking fun at Violet, one critic wrote, “lol any day now before it goes back on due to the ‘new’ pandemic.”
Another asked, “So someone finally got her the mental health support she needs?” while a third person said, “Oh Wow! Typical Hollywood hypocrisy!!:
Amid the trolling, some concerned folks also raised a different possibility behind why Violet was not wearing the mask.
“Could have been having a health issue that’s now resolved. Making a decision best for your mental and physical wellness is not everyone’s business,” noted an individual.
See the image of her mask-free outing here.
Why Ben Affleck’s Daughter Wears A Mask
The reason behind Violet wearing a mask is linked to her being diagnosed with a “post-viral condition” back in 2019.
Since then, she has not only preferred wearing a mask when out in public but has also advocated for others to do the same.
“I’m OK now, but I saw firsthand that medicine does not always have answers to the consequences of even minor viruses,” the young adult said during her speech for the LA County Board of Supervisors in 2024, according to a report.
In her speech, Violet also spoke against any ban on wearing masks, saying such regulations “do not keep us safer” and make “vulnerable members of our community less safe.”
The college student also added her voice to calls for increased access to “high-quality free tests and treatment” within the county.
Violet Affleck Took Her Mask Advocacy To The UN
In 2025, Violet Affleck also took her advocacy to a United Nations event, where she called for more action to address airborne diseases due to the immense risks they pose.
“It is neglect of the highest order to look children in the eyes and say, ‘We knew how to protect you, and we didn’t do it,’” Violet said at the time.
Speaking further, she criticized how many now seem to downplay the effects of COVID-19 despite the devastation it caused. In her view, she also believes that clean air should be considered just as much of a human right as clean water.
“Long COVID has surpassed asthma as the most common chronic illness in children in five years and under,” Violent added, before noting how terrified she was that some children “will not know a world without debilitating pain and exhaustion” due to the effects Covid had on them.
Violet Affleck’s UN Speech Sparked Backlash
Violet’s UN speech at the time led to intense backlash online due to her calls for reinstated mask mandates, a highly controversial stance since the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of her most prominent critics was Meghan McCain, who lashed out at Violet on social media, writing, “Every single thing about all of this is why people hate nepo babies so much.”
As reported by The Blast, McCain argued that Violet’s appearance at the UN felt unnecessary, implying she had little idea what she was talking about.
After being branded a “nepo baby” herself, McCain further doubled down on her criticism of Violet by stating that her parents would never co-sign her speaking at a high-profile event without being well-versed on the sensitive topic that was being discussed.
“Having famous parents is a double-edged sword, and if you’re going to put yourself out there, you gotta take the heat (as I have always done),” McCain added at the time.
The 20-Year-Old Received High Praise From Her Father, Ben Affleck
Violet has repeatedly been praised by her father, with one such instance occurring during a recent interview with Access Hollywood.
At the time, he noted how she takes after her mother, adding that she is “spectacular.” The actor also spoke about his coparent arrangement with Violet’s mother and how she makes it all so easy for him
“I’m very lucky that I’ve got a great partner and we’ve got great kids. It’s the joy of my life, and I’m just very, very lucky. And it makes me happy every day,” Affleck said, per Hola.
Affleck’s comments about Garner echoed remarks he made during an appearance on “Good Morning America” in 2020, per the Daily Mail.
“When you have children with somebody, you’re connected to them forever. And I’m very lucky she [Garner] is the mother of my children,” he said. “I’m very grateful and respectful of her.”