Donald Trump is facing criticism for ending his four years in office by embarrassing himself and those around him with displays of pettiness unheard of from a sitting President.
On December 7, a ceremony was held in the Oval Office to award the Medal of Freedom—the nation's highest civilian honor—to wrestler Dan Gable.
After the medal was bestowed on Gable, reporters asked President Trump several questions. But the President abruptly ended the ceremony, walking out with a curt "thank you."
Gable was left behind, arms wide, wondering what the heck just happened.
EARLIER TODAY: President Trump leaves Oval Office ceremony ignoring the question, "Anything on Bill Barr, sir?" https://t.co/T1R0uuoonC— The Hill (@The Hill) 1607396460.0
This is unreal. Trump abruptly walked out of Dan Gable’s Medal of Freedom ceremony today, leaving Gable shrugging a… https://t.co/VFSVfHMnSD— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1607388630.0
The ending was the most awkward moment of Trump's ceremony with Gable but it was absolutely not the only one.
Trump, without a shred of irony, defends his efforts to overturn the election by saying "the case has been made if… https://t.co/FaN7Qiwe2A— Aaron Rupar (@Aaron Rupar) 1607364856.0
One of Dan Gable's grandchildren lays on the floor as he makes remarks just before receiving the Presidential Medal… https://t.co/ZIqYYq1cvh— Doug Mills (@Doug Mills) 1607368461.0
Sammy Olszta, 6, grandson of Olympic wrestling gold medalist and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Dan Gable,… https://t.co/KmFgwhDlCt— Reuters Pictures (@Reuters Pictures) 1607401870.0
It was a deeply strange moment, even among the many other strange moments generated by the Trump presidency.
@thehill That ending. So awkward!— ☘️ Laura ✊🏽 (@☘️ Laura ✊🏽) 1607397230.0
Twitter couldn't help but cringe at the awkwardness of the encounter.
@atrupar He was asked about inauguration and Bill Barr that’s why he walked out!— Debbie 🐝Ahern Soul of Nation restored (@Debbie 🐝Ahern Soul of Nation restored) 1607389495.0
@atrupar Fixed it. https://t.co/8DL2akLIEj— KevinlyFather 🇺🇲🇨🇦🇲🇼🇸🇿 (@KevinlyFather 🇺🇲🇨🇦🇲🇼🇸🇿) 1607402078.0
@atrupar Every single person with an emotionally abusive parent just had flashbacks to saying the “wrong thing” at dinner.— Jay Black (@Jay Black) 1607389393.0
People found Trump's behavior disrespectful.
@jayblackisfunny @atrupar Yep. As soon as the inauguration was brought up, his fantasy bubble burst and Trump went… https://t.co/qbniSUUEJM— John Daniel🎙️ (@John Daniel🎙️) 1607393136.0
@atrupar Trump is so disrespectful.— Katie S. Phang (@Katie S. Phang) 1607391734.0
At least now we all know how to get President Trump to leave the room.
@atrupar This is not about the MoH recipient or the press. This is about a Head of State acting petulantly & walkin… https://t.co/6FKRsPAFoE— I am Dave. 🇳🇿🥝🇮🇱🌈⛷👨🏽🤝👨🏼💙🌊🌊🌊 (@I am Dave. 🇳🇿🥝🇮🇱🌈⛷👨🏽🤝👨🏼💙🌊🌊🌊) 1607436171.0
@atrupar So bizarre.— Rachel Vindman (@Rachel Vindman) 1607439020.0
Hopefully the next person to receive the Medal of Freedom won't have such a hard time.