Twitter Applauds Nancy Pelosi's 'Clap Back' to President Donald Trump
By R.J. Johnson - @rickerthewriter
February 6, 2019
Last night President Donald Trump delivered his second State of the Union to both houses of Congress. During the speech, Trump laid out his administration's agenda for the next two years, including a plan for nationwide family leave, a $50 million initiative for research into ending childhood cancers and renewed his call to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
But it was House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's withering reactions during Trump's 82-minute speech that people ended up talking about online. Because the House Speaker is traditionally seated behind the president during the State of the Union, TV cameras captured every subtle head-shake, pursed lips and eye roll from Pelosi during the speech.
In one of the most widely-shared moments of the night, Pelosi was seen clapping for Trump as he called for unity among Republicans and Democrats.
“We must reject the politics of revenge, resistance and retribution and embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good,” Trump said.
Trump looked back at Pelosi, who stood and extended her arms out toward the president, applauding with a smirk that many on the internet saw as a sarcastic clap back.
Pelosi gives Trump a standing ovation and nod of approval for his call to end "revenge politics." #SOTU #StateOfTheUnion pic.twitter.com/9X5pDtuhsn
— Daniel Lewis (@Daniel_Lewis3) February 6, 2019
Twitter quickly crowned the House Speaker as the "Queen of Condescending Applause" with photos of her clapping at Trump dubbed the "photo of the century" by users online.
Pelosi the Gawd with the most pettiest and sarcastic clap possible. We stan a queen #SOTU pic.twitter.com/5FahnpDaJZ
— BG From the Bottom of the Map (@GhostFaceSigma) February 6, 2019
That time Nancy Pelosi channeled Lucille Bluth... #SOTU pic.twitter.com/jKbXgglqWi
— Minka Singh (@minkasingh) February 6, 2019
Pelosi golf clap or UF Gators chomp?#SOTU #SOTU2019
— Michele Wright (@michelewrightTV) February 6, 2019
(Doug Mills/Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/nPO7QQlk0n
Through a single clap, Speaker Pelosi tells Trump she’s going to dog walk him. Iconic picture for the ages. pic.twitter.com/ooP8DYGU2m
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) February 6, 2019
And as the Internet is wont to do, the memes began flying around the Twitterverse.
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) February 6, 2019
— Desus Nice (@desusnice) February 6, 2019
Nancy Pelosi was trolling Trump the entire night. This is how a mother claps for a toddler, every mother knows this clap. "Good boy, you did it! You are mama's smart little guy!"
— Christopher Bouzy (@cbouzy) February 6, 2019
Nancy Pelosi hasn't stopped dog walking Trump since their meeting in the Oval Office. pic.twitter.com/aC1cLXb2Gc
Everyone: It's a shame there's no sarcasm font on the Internet.
— Rhomany (@rhomany) February 6, 2019
Nancy Pelosi: Fixed it. pic.twitter.com/p3JwYPkXyp
Thank u, next pic.twitter.com/opvIcdLnW6
— Garance Franke-Ruta (@thegarance) February 6, 2019
When I tell my wife I changed a diaper. pic.twitter.com/N2ncXAuUb2
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) February 6, 2019
Of course, Pelosi's clap wasn't well-received by everyone. Some described the moment as "childish" and disrespectful.
That just seems immensely petty and childish. Even though i dont like Trump, I agree that the revenge tactics, intimidation and divisive behaviour needs to stop (for both sides.)
— Not-Joseph (@Skychno) February 6, 2019
Huge disrespect shown by a ridiculous woman that is chewing on something and looking at her art papers/menus/notes on when to sit down, through the entire evening
— Debbie Sanger (@djsblondie) February 6, 2019
Photo: Getty Images