President Donald Trump appeared pretty energized as he stepped off Air Force One on Tuesday morning to attend a memorial for 9/11 victims in Pennsylvania — pumping his fists in a way that almost instantly got called out online.
Trump, after landing in Pennsylvania to honor the 40 passengers and crew members who died when United Airlines Flight 93 crashed outside Shanksville, Penn., walked over to a crowd of supporters and pumped both of his fists.
“Hello everybody. How are you?” Trump asked the crowd, before complimenting them. “What a good-looking group.”
Below is a look at the picture making the rounds, as well as video of Trump exiting the plane.
WATCH: President Trump greets supporters upon arrival in Johnstown, Penn., while en route to Shanksville to honor those who died aboard United Airlines Flight 93 when it crashed 17 years ago today during the 9/11 attacks. https://t.co/TI1qXHQQNO pic.twitter.com/Uum9rmdV9j
— NBC News (@NBCNews) September 11, 2018
The president’s demeanor didn’t sit well with many on Twitter, however. “This is an abomination,” one user declared.
This is a photo of Trump moments ago arriving in PA to attend the Flight 93 September 11 Memorial Service. This. Is. Not. Normal. pic.twitter.com/HZX0dx4xKE
— Christopher Bouzy (spoutible.com/cbouzy) (@cbouzy) September 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/WendyMolyneux/status/1039529817769631744
Even actor Morgan Freeman called out Trump in a message to survivors and their families: “Please know that our country is with you even if our President is not.”
Another user said the president’s reaction showed “dementia” in full effect.
This is @realDonaldTrump greeting supporters as he arrives in PA to attend the Flight 93 #Sept11 Memorial Service. To all those who lost loved ones on this day 17 years ago, our hearts goes out to you! And please know that our country is with you, even if our President is not. pic.twitter.com/GVbfAS2iBJ
— Morgan J. Freeman (@mjfree) September 11, 2018
Trump's dementia on display when landing to attend the Flight 93 September 11 Memorial Service in Shanksville, PA
He has no idea what it means. His atrophied brain says "act important" "do something", so an inappropriate cheer is the output he produces.
He will get much worse. pic.twitter.com/cQU0aAu53Q
— Tom Joseph (@TomJChicago) September 11, 2018
*sigh*
Days without being a National embarrassment… Still 0#NeverForget #911Anniversary #September11th #Shanksville #Flight93 https://t.co/Bh9JMubwT1— Hadley Sheley (@HadleySheley) September 11, 2018
YEEEEEEAAAAAH! 9/11! We’re gonna mourn this tragedy TO THE MAX! pic.twitter.com/NCfBuoFVJv
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) September 11, 2018
Others compared it to President Obama’s reaction during previous memorial services.
https://twitter.com/Rschooley/status/1039522094982160386
President Trump, along with first lady Melania Trump, were heading to a service in memory of United 93.
The flight was heading west from New Jersey when it was highjacked by four terrorists that planned on crashing the plane in Washington, D.C.
Instead, the flight crashed in Pennsylvania after several passengers thwarted the hijackers’ plans to attack the nation’s capital. About 3,000 people were killed in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.