President Trump has been widely mocked for a comment he made while welcoming the Artemis II crew to the White House, where he claimed he would have no trouble becoming an astronaut due to his physical fitness.
Artemis II crew honoured at White House
Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen made history earlier this month by flying further from Earth than any other humans, beating the record set by Apollo 13 in 1970. The four astronauts met President Trump and took part in a press conference in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
President's baffling comment
A clip from the press conference shows President Trump seated at his desk, flanked by NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Reid Wiseman, and Jeremy Hansen. The President says: 'They have unbelievable courage, unbelievable. A lot of other things too, by the way. To get in there you have to be very smart, you have to do a lot of things physically good, so I would have no trouble making it. I'm physically very, very good.'
The video was shared on social media by the account Replicants against Trump, who wrote: 'Not AI. Not SNL. Meeting the Artemis II astronauts, Trump claimed he’s physically "very, very good" and fit to be an astronaut. How is this real life?'
Online mockery
The comment sparked widespread mockery online. Notably, President Trump, who will mark his 80th birthday in June, avoided conscription into the Vietnam War after being diagnosed with bone spurs in his heels, a condition diagnosed by a podiatrist who was a tenant of his father.
One user wrote: 'Most statesmen would infer they were in awe of what these American heroes have done but not ole Donny. He must be the greatest at everything, no matter how absurd, and everyone has to be told about it at great length. This effective belittling of others’ achievements is part of a deeply ingrained narcissistic trait that shames him and America.'
Another replied: 'The cringe and second-hand embarrassment is truly reaching an unbearable level. Please, somebody, make it stop!'
Someone else wrote: 'This moron is such a constant source of embarrassment!!! It is sad that those amazing astronauts had to suffer through that! I bet those few minutes in the White House must be the lowest point of their lives and must have been, I bet, the most jarring experience, even worse than take off or re-entry!!!'
A different user added: 'He can’t not make something about himself, ever. A clear sign of deep insecurity and narcissism. It’s pathetic.'
Another comment read: 'Wow. He can do everything. I would like to see that though. Him doing something he says he can do. On the other side of the Moon. I’d pay a dollar to watch that adventurous documentary.'
King Charles' joke goes over Trump's head
This incident comes the same week President Trump and the First Lady welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla to the USA on a state visit marking 250 years of American independence. At a state dinner on Tuesday evening, King Charles made a cheeky joke that appeared to sail over the President's head.
In a clip shared on social media, the King says: 'You recently commented, Mr President, that if it were not for the United States, European countries would be speaking German. Dare I say that if it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking French.' The room erupted in laughter, while Mr Trump looked around with a polite but bemused smile. Many social media users suggested the President did not understand the joke, which referenced the French and Indian War of the 18th century.
