President Donald Trump wanted to show the nation that he was hard at work this weekend after the government shut down over failed budget negotiations.
It didn’t go over very well.
The White House released a photograph that showed Trump sitting at an empty desk, holding the phone at an awkward angle. On Sunday, the image went viral in all the wrong ways:
Hey, all you People Who Know Desks: Does this look like the desk of somebody who works? #desktwitter #iknowyouareoutthere https://t.co/hrKMeN1ZAo
— honor sachs (@drhonor) January 21, 2018
Hello, yes this is the President. I am Presidenting very much at the best amount. Maga very much to you too #TrumpShutdown pic.twitter.com/eiv1Whmneu
— HappyToast ★ (@IamHappyToast) January 21, 2018
Hi Melania, do you know where my hat is? pic.twitter.com/2yzYQIwIdz
— Bozwonk (@lolwarlol) January 21, 2018
This the photo you’d take if you’re visiting the WH and they let you sit at the desk. https://t.co/5PymyxDfRB
— Roy Wood Jr- Ex Jedi (@roywoodjr) January 21, 2018
STAFF: Mr. President, we need the optics of you working hard during the shutdown.
— Daniel W. Drezner (@dandrezner) January 21, 2018
TRUMP: Fine, I’ll pose with the phone at my ear.
STAFF: Um, sir, maybe it would be better if it looked like you had been reading—
TRUMP: Just take the f**king picture in the next three seconds. https://t.co/Wp3rfOng5T
Honestly this looks like someone’s first time using a phone and a chair https://t.co/fynnz3elUC
— Mike Royce (@MikeRoyce) January 21, 2018
BIDEN: hello Mr. President
— Bucky Isotope (@BuckyIsotope) January 21, 2018
TRUMP: who is this
BIDEN: it’s uh Prime Minister Updog of Bofa
TRUMP: oh of course. How are you? I love Bofa. Great people. Love me some Bofa
BIDEN: *covers phone* Barry I can’t it’s too easy
OBAMA: FINISH HIM pic.twitter.com/oZmxNWqNFO
Trump may LOOK like he isn't at all involved in the negotiations to end the #TrumpShutdown but his staff brought him his "President Phone" this morning and he's been making phone calls ALL DAY. Taking care of business as we careen into #shutdown day three. #ShutdownTrump pic.twitter.com/hSBNezuidH
— Nick Walden Poublon (@NWPinPDX) January 22, 2018
This one has Forbes rolled up, ShutDown on his hat, Viagra on the table along with some cocaine lined out & straw in his hand, Trump on Banana phone, Russian desk flag, McD's,lots of KFC, 8 pack diet coke, golf clubs and Stormy under the desk.
— 🦅🌎C. Peternell🌎🦅 (@CPeternell) January 21, 2018
So what's next? Lol. pic.twitter.com/XudxDl5h7A
Obama working in the Oval Office. Trump “working” in the Oval Office. Can you spot the difference? pic.twitter.com/16ehEt7SeC
— Kurt Busiek Resists (@KurtBusiek) January 21, 2018
Trump ‘working’ = me ‘doing math and eating salads’ pic.twitter.com/KDpFELhwVb
— Emily Andras (@emtothea) January 21, 2018
POTUS hard at work pic.twitter.com/sTk1jJ5zRK
— Alistair Coleman (@alistaircoleman) January 21, 2018
An emerging trend is that Trump and his staff have no idea how to stage photos to make it seem like he’s actually working. pic.twitter.com/kFHKvWdKLf
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) January 21, 2018
So Trump shows the world he's "working" during the shutdown by sitting behind an empty desk and picking up a phone. He's like a little kid who thinks he's "driving" by sitting behind the steering wheel of a parked car and shouting "VROOM! VROOM!" https://t.co/UEeUbakte3
— Victor Laszlo (@Impolitics) January 22, 2018
Einstein’s desk.
— Jonny Geller (@JonnyGeller) January 21, 2018
Trump’s desk.
You decide. pic.twitter.com/OYqOGrSQQL
Support HuffPost
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. A vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why HuffPost's journalism is free for everyone, not just those who can afford expensive paywalls.
We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.
As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why we keep our journalism free for everyone, even as most other newsrooms have retreated behind expensive paywalls.
Our newsroom continues to bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes on one of the most consequential elections in recent history. Reporting on the current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly — and we need your help.
Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.
Related
Do you have info to share with HuffPost reporters? Here’s how.
