President Trump kicked off his three-day state visit to the U.K. today with a number of engagements with members of the royal family. Not everyone was happy about his trip; there was a protest outside of Buckingham Palace (plus a few rebellious signs and billboards) despite his claim otherwise. But those who didn’t defy the POTUS with physical demonstrations did so on the Internet, trolling the the Commander-in-Chief with tweets and memes because it’s 2019 and this is what we do now.
The quips began even before the president and first lady landed in the Buckingham Palace yard.
Jonathan Penney@penneyjonathanLet’s hope Prince Philip is picking him up from the airport #TrumpVisitUK pic.twitter.com/4qZh4WuL3f
Prince Charles@Charles_HRHPresident Donald Trump has arrived in the UK for a three day state visit. Queen Elizabeth II has asked Prince Philip to pick him up from the airport. #TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/lpqfX5ZzER
Theresa May(be)@MrsTheresaMayAm relaxing UK gun laws for the next 24 hours x #Trump #TrumpVisitUK
Their first photo op with the queen spurred this genius Photoshop moment with a very fitting Viktor & Rolf slogan gown.
Saint Hoax
✔@SaintHoax
Can’t believe the Queen wore this for her meeting with the Trumps#TrumpInUK pic.twitter.com/t7c37pKV9s
There were also some jokes about the the president’s handshake with the monarch. From the angle of one widely-circulated photo, it appears he’s giving her a fist bump (although that unfortunately did not happen).
Have I Got News For You
✔@haveigotnews
After Donald Trump ‘fist bumps’ the Queen, sources suggest she’s thinking of returning the gesture, but considerably harder and to the middle of his face.
Chris Morris Bits@chrismorrisbitsnice to see that the Queen agreed to fist bump President Trump #TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/KBKliCrrz2
TechnicallyRon
✔@TechnicallyRon
“Pleasure to meet you Queen Victoria”
“Donald we’ve met before and…”
“Has your nation defeated the daleks yet”
“That’s a TV show…”
“And the bad wizards?”
“That’s a film…”
“That phone box didn’t transport me anywhere”
“That was a toilet Mr Trump” pic.twitter.com/UsJoA26yma
People took notice of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who joined in on the trip, as they eerily looked out from the Buckingham Palace windows while the royals greeted the first couple on the grounds below.
Clara Jeffery
✔@ClaraJeffery
The new Omen movie looks lit pic.twitter.com/wfVMHPlGcb
Nina Parker@NinaParkerLooks like a scene from The Others…
(Ivanka Trump and her Husband pictured at Buckingham Palace today – terrifying). #TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/9OTIE7kCf9
Jordan Crucchiola
✔@JorCru
pic.twitter.com/9kXElW1LeO
Twitter users were also confused with Ivanka’s choice of fascinator at Westminster Abbey.
Santa Claus, CEO@SantaIncIvanka Trump looks like she got “Baby-Cheesed” with some English white cheddar.
#TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/NJwH4aBOTP
The real kicker came when the queen’s official gifts to President Trump were revealed. She gave him an abridged first edition of Winston Churchill’s The Second World War, along with a set of Duofold pens, according to Town & Country. The Twittersphere pointed out the irony of giving the POTUS a present that required reading. Some even wondered if Her Majesty was trolling him on purpose.
Molly Jong-Fast
✔@MollyJongFast
She gave him a book hahahahaha
The Hill
✔@thehill
JUST IN: Queen Elizabeth gifts Trump Winston Churchill’s copy of rare book http://hill.cm/Jvep7fQ
Sophie Vershbow@svershbowJUST IN: Trump holds a book for the first time
The Hill
✔@thehill
JUST IN: Queen Elizabeth gifts Trump Winston Churchill’s copy of rare book http://hill.cm/Jvep7fQ
Maureen Johnson
✔@maureenjohnson
The biggest burn of all was the Queen giving Trump a book and a pen.
Hadley Freeman
✔@HadleyFreeman
Giving Trump a book is such quality shade from the Queen
The Hill
✔@thehill
JUST IN: Queen Elizabeth gifts Trump Winston Churchill’s copy of rare book http://hill.cm/Jvep7fQ
Eli Stokols
✔@EliStokols
The queen has given Trump a book (about Churchill/WWII), which, considering that everyone knows he doesn’t read, is an expert-level troll.
Chelsea Handler
✔@chelseahandler
I love that Queen Elizabeth gave Trump a Winston Churchill book as a present. What is he supposed to do with that? Eat it?
Some joked that the Duchess of Cornwall’s wink to the press at one engagement with the Trumps this afternoon was a secret cry for help.
Charlie Proctor
✔@MonarchyUK
Royal Protection Officer: “Camilla, if you are in trouble then wink, we will come and rescue you.” #TrumpUKVisit #TrumpVisitUK pic.twitter.com/TGMrXwmjUu
More trolling poured in during the state banquet at Buckingham Palace later this evening.
Lee Radziwill@RadziwillLee“melania who?” pic.twitter.com/jHBTE5Vuc1
Mike Drucker
✔@MikeDrucker
He looks like Bugs Bunny is about to ruin his opera pic.twitter.com/43zZ2SgE2i
Lauren Hough@laurenthehoughThis tux is what happens when you piss off the homosexuals. Happy pride, bitch. pic.twitter.com/FrFxYXhxP9
Those we watched a livestream of the dinner noted that some royals looked uninterested during Trump’s speech to the queen and her honorable guests.
Tory Shaheen@TorySnycHere is Trump reading a fifth grader’s book report on the royal family to the queen. #TrumpUKVisit pic.twitter.com/o6z2xxNk1z
Charlie Proctor
✔@MonarchyUK
I love how everybody has turned in their seats to listen to President Trump’s speech.
Well, everybody but one Princess Anne #TrumpVisitUK pic.twitter.com/lG1ftO00w6
Charlie Proctor
✔@MonarchyUK
Prince Edward is having a smashing time listening to President Trump’s speech #TrumpVisitUK pic.twitter.com/w6WhUCpDJL
Charlie Proctor
✔@MonarchyUK
Members of The Royal Family having an EXCELLENT time listening to President Trump #TrumpVisitUK pic.twitter.com/DK0yFNVCyI
Yikes!
