Trump sways and twitches during National Anthem, Twitter says must be hydroxy effects: 'Or probably dementia'
President Donald Trump's appearance at the Arlington National Cemetery for Memorial Day has sparked debate on social media over his health. Trump, during the appearance, could reportedly be swaying from side to side during a moment of silence at the ceremony on May 25, Monday morning.
Trump, on Monday, attended the solemn ceremony nearly 30 minutes behind schedule. The White House did not provide any statement on the reason for the delay. However, a video from the ceremony was released, which showed the president moving up and down, either bobbing on his heels or swaying back and forth during the moment of reflection.
The incident occurred as the Republican clasped his hands facing a wreath during the ceremonies. Trump's movements stood in stark contrast to a military honor guard standing behind him at attention. The president was also seen swaying during the National Anthem as Vice President Mike Pence stood upright in the background. The Republican, at one moment, was seen raising his hand but suddenly lowered it again.
You can watch the video here.
Shortly after the clips from the event were made public, his strange movements drew attention from social media users, with some taking a dig at his use of hydroxychloroquine. Trump, last week, had announced he was taking the malaria drug as a preventive measure to keep coronavirus at bay. The side effects of the drug include nausea and dizziness.
One Twitter user wrote: "Is the President having trouble standing up straight as the National Anthem begins at Arlington Cemetary (sic) or am I seeing things? Trump seemed to have significant trouble balancing as he approached the wreath today at Arlington Cemetery."
"He better go in for part two of that totally routine physical he started months ago," another noted. While another suggested that Trump might be suffering from symptoms of dementia: "Trump’s Frontotemporal Dementia symptoms include arm jerking, torso pitching, vision & balance issues. He sways & turns oddly bc it’s easier than feet shifting & rebalancing. His peripheral vision is shot. He can’t turn his head w/o losing balance."
"Couldn't help but notice that Trump has a wobble like he's completely off balance during the Arlington wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown," another Twitter user observed.
The president ventured out of the White House multiple times over the weekends. The president was seen golfing at his private club in Virginia on Saturday and Sunday. After criticism surrounding his golf trips, he defended himself, saying it was a chance for him to get some exercise.
Trump, on May 25, also mocked former Vice President Joe Biden for wearing a face mask during Memorial Day commemorations. The president made the dig at Biden even as he himself refused to wear a mask at a ceremony in Virginia. Trump retweeted a post from Fox News political analyst Brit Hume, which read: "This might help explain why Trump doesn’t like to wear a mask in public. Biden today." The tweet was shared with a close-up picture of Biden wearing dark sunglasses and a mask at a Memorial Day event. The event marked the presumptive Democratic nominee Biden and his wife Jill's first trip out of the house in over two months as they lay a wreath at a Delaware veterans park. The pair had been following social distancing measures amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
The Trumps, however, in contrast to Biden and Jill, decided against wearing face masks as they appeared at Memorial Day ceremonies in Virginia and Maryland. The president has consistently refused to wear a mask despite the Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) advising Americans to wear them in public places.