Yesterday, President Donald Trump made a fuss over celebrating patriotism at a White House event. Today, he was filmed butchering the words to “God Bless America” at that very celebration—and the internet is mercilessly mocking him.
Trump appeared to not know the words to the song at the Celebration of America event, which took place on Tuesday after he withdrew an invitation for the Philadelphia Eagles to visit the White House because some players said they wouldn’t attend on political grounds.
At his Celebration of America event, Trump doesn't appear to know the words to "God Bless America." pic.twitter.com/fzwe1gFejM
— David Mack (@davidmackau) June 5, 2018
In a statement announcing the decision to hold a “different type of celebration” instead of the planned visit from the NFL team, Trump blasted players for what he saw as unpatriotic behavior (even though no Eagles players kneeled during the national anthem last football season).
“They disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country,” the statement said.
The event was touted as a chance to “honor our great country, pay tribute to the heroes who fight to protect it, and loudly and proudly play the National Anthem.” But as “God Bless America” blared, Trump missed a chance to prove his own loyal patriotism.
People on Twitter scourged the president, guessing at what he might have been singing (because it clearly wasn’t the right words).
https://twitter.com/JPM_80/status/1004096567081603072
Transcript of President 🍊🤡 singing God Bless America:
— YS (@NYinLA2121) June 5, 2018
God bless America
Stops. Nods.
Stand purse lips
Nods
Nods
Nods
Mouths something
To the nods
To the nods
Nods nods nods
God bless America
From the mountains
Purse lips
Nods
Nods
Smiles
God bless America
Claps
Claps
trump: they MUST stand during national anthem
— chris melberger (@chrismelberger) June 5, 2018
also trump: god bless america, land that i love …………………………….from the light that was high up above…………mountains……….pear seed……..ocean white glove…..god bless america
https://twitter.com/ReformedBroker/status/1004096081825804288
trump sings "god bless america" the way the rest of us sing "despacito" https://t.co/4Jdj95YySM
— Sal Gentile (@salgentile) June 5, 2018
this is the face of a man who has clearly never heard the words "to the oceans white with foam" before. just absolutely lost and bewildered. I'm so inspired by how patriotic this man is. pic.twitter.com/PKVYzInd06
— Sal Gentile (@salgentile) June 5, 2018
For some, the glaring hypocrisy was too much to bear.
I want Proof, the Muthafukker demanding folks stand for the Anthem actually knows the words to the Anthem!!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) June 5, 2018
Not knowing the lyrics to "God Bless America" isn't a really bad thing. UNLESS you're hosting a patriotism party, and the announcer says to sing the song to honor the country. And you just spent the last year blasting a group for not being patriotic. And you're the president.
— Samwise (checkmark) (@SamKimpton) June 5, 2018
I find it more disrespectful for the United States President to butcher “God Bless America” than for NFL players to kneel in order to protest racial injustice.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) June 5, 2018
It’s not the first time Trump has demonstrated an ironic gap in his knowledge of patriotic lyrics. In January, Trump tweeted to demand respect for the national anthem—only to botch the “The Star-Spangled Banner” just a few hours later.
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