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After disinviting the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles to the White House Tuesday, Donald Trump instead hosted a patriotic ceremony during which he appeared to not know the words to "God Bless America," and Hollywood immediately dragged him for it on Twitter.
Standing front and center before the U.S. Marine Band and Army Chorus, he could be seen mouthing the chorus. But through much of the song he bobbed his head along, and only opened his mouth for a word here or there. That was enough to get Twitter all riled up, convinced that the president doesn't know the words to this patriotic song performed at an event he hosted to spotlight his patriotism.
ABC
'The View' Gets Fired Up Tackling Trump's Decision to Punt Philadelphia Eagles From White House
View StoryThe president rescinded the invitation to the Eagles after learning that "only a small number" of them would be coming.Trump has been an outspoken opponent of players kneeling for the national anthem, and even came out against the NFL's recent ban of the act, because it allowed players to stay in the locker room as a form of protest.
The Philadelphia Eagles Football Team was invited to the White House. Unfortunately, only a small number of players decided to come, and we canceled the event. Staying in the Locker Room for the playing of our National Anthem is as disrespectful to our country as kneeling. Sorry!
@realDonaldTrump
We will proudly be playing the National Anthem and other wonderful music celebrating our Country today at 3 P.M., The White House, with the United States Marine Band and the United States Army Chorus. Honoring America! NFL, no escaping to Locker Rooms!
@realDonaldTrump
The bottom line is that Trump tried to save face over a situation that would have made him look bad if fewer than 10 Eagles showed up, as some outlets are reporting. Unfortunately for his ego, though, appearing to botch a patriotic song at his replacement patriotic event (deemed a "Celebration of America") seems to have had the opposite result as Twitter lit up.
"The Late Show," "The Daily Show" and Bad Lip Reading all tried to figure out what Trump was singing by redubbing the video to hilarious results, while the rest of Hollywood had a field day tearing the whole debacle apart. Enjoy some of the best responses below.
CBS/Comedy Central
Late-Night Hosts Mock Trump Over Claim He Can Pardon Himself
View StoryCBS News has the exclusive version of the president's isolated mic during God Bless America. #LSSC pic.twitter.com/i2hUIFkFrd
@colbertlateshow
So many griping about Trump not knowing God Bless America but he was overwhelmed trying to remember to put his hand over the correct spot where the rest of us have a heart.
@IJasonAlexander
To clarify, “forgetting” is probably the wrong term. It is more likely that he never knew the words since the song is not about him
@theyearofelan
"Stand beside her, and guide her, Through the night, with a light from above"...From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans, white with foam, God Bless America, My home sweet home....Irving Berlin...immigrant. https://t.co/HIfXcMPfld
@BetteMidler
This video of the prez pretending to know the words to god bless America is a metaphor for the whole fucking thing. https://t.co/p6DZ786fC2
@birbigs
When you know the lyrics to God Bless America pic.twitter.com/BRK0G4Bdsv
@TheDailyShow
This clip of Trump singing “God Bless America” is the best thing I've seen all week. https://t.co/zMPZZaA9Fi
@SethMacFarlane
It's not hard. if you hold a "patriotic event" to show the country how "patriotic" you are, knowing you'll be front & center as the highest-and I use the term advisedly-so-called "elected official," while the Army Chorus sings, 'God Bless America"... learn the god-damned words.
@JamesPMorrison
So he cancels the SuperBowl party at the WH, disinvites the PhiladelphiaEagles, says he's holding a patriotic ceremony instead to send a message to the NFL — and then he proves through a little song we are all forced to memorize in 1st grade why he's the worst possible American. https://t.co/NaqHFd5gEN
@MMFlint
To be fair, I get to every 7th inning resolving to forget the lyrics to "God Bless America" but grade-school memorization consigns me to defeat. What a fatuous, self-regarding national chest-puff. Woody Gutherie was dead right about Irving Berlin.
@AoDespair
Leaked audio from Donald Trump's live microphone during performance of "God Bless America"... pic.twitter.com/5KsGCN2b2q
@BadLipReading
In case you're wondering, "Patriot" Tang didn't know the words to #GodBlessAmerica which was sung at his little event today. And no one in his "crowd" of "Eagles fans" knew the name of their current QB. #PatheticTinyHandedCircus
@YNB
"The cherry on top to me was that the President was singing the words to God Bless America, didn't know the words, God bless his heart." @DonteStallworth #Hardball
@hardball
ppl can NOT honestly look at this and think, “stable genius”!!! no!!! they can NOT!!! https://t.co/iOpMDxweav
@DonCheadle
Not an Onion headline. Just the news during the Trump regime. https://t.co/CVgqqm00h7
@BeauWillimon
Seriously, Donald? https://t.co/djGGp77ovS
@GeorgeTakei
WATCH: Trump fakes his way through singing 'God Bless America' at Eagles-less White House ceremony https://t.co/N4j6P8Rxyu
@RealDLHughley
Unbelievable. What a fucking embarrassment this shit-pie of a human is. https://t.co/maStQnZ12a
@pattonoswalt
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