President Trump’s Border Patrol entourage is an instant meme

President Donald Trump being flanked by several bald Border Patrol officers at a White House press conference became the butt of jokes Thursday, despite his serious attempt to blame Democrats for the stand-off over border wall funding and subsequent government shutdown.

Trump appeared at the hastily organized briefing to congratulate Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi on her election as the next House speaker and to reiterate his demand for a southern border wall.

“I just want to start off by congratulating Nancy Pelosi on being elected Speaker of the House,” he said. “It’s a very, very great achievement, and hopefully we’re going to work together and we’re going to get lots of things done, like infrastructure and so much more.”

“Without a wall you can not have border security,” the president continued after allowing the officers to make statements to the press. “Without a very strong form of barrier, call it what you will, but without a wall you can’t have border security it won’t work.”

Online, at least, that message was completely lost with Twitter users preoccupied by the odd stage presence.

https://twitter.com/AdamWeinstein/status/1080941688540094464

As the government shutdown enters its 13th day and pressure mounts on Trump to compromise somehow, one has to wonder whether his flattery of Rep. Pelosi or his case could be heard at all over the roar of laughter.