In a press encounter on Friday at Joint Base Andrews, something went amiss which caught the attention of social media sites. While responding to questions from journalists, President Donald Trump was unintentionally hit in the face by a boom microphone. The 78-year-old visibly looked displeased and gave one of his reporters a stern glare for causing the accident.
The video of the incident soon went viral, prompting a round of reactions on the internet. When Trump was talking about the current Gaza hostage situation, the mic hit his face and shoulder, and an instant reaction followed.
Trump’s Response to the Incident
Following the incident, Trump jokingly reacted to the news, stating that the reporter would be a trending topic. “She just became a big story tonight,” he responded, implying that the clip would become viral. His assertion became true as social media followers shared the clip extensively, making hypotheses regarding the identity of the reporter.
Most right-wing opinion on X (formerly Twitter) jumped on the story, and people were asking about who the journalist was. The video went on to become one of the trending topics of the day.
Trump Speaks at DOJ Event
Before the attack at Joint Base Andrews, President Trump spoke to a crowd at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. He addressed a variety of issues, such as a eulogy for deceased Bobby Knight, the late Indiana Hoosiers coach. Trump reminisced about Knight having been loyal to him since his initial presidential campaign in 2016.
Trump also had a dig at mainstream media like CNN and MSNBC during his speech, accusing them of unethical reporting and bias. “What they are doing is illegal,” he alleged, further fueling his longstanding attack on the media.
Social Media Responds
The Trump mic clip turned into an online phenomenon, with countless users giving a variety of humorous and negative reactions. Some considered the moment humorous, while others were predicting how Trump’s base and critics would respond to the situation.
The shock mic slip and Trump’s reaction earned another presidential viral moment, further establishing his status for sensationalized interactions with the media.