Donald Trump sparks outrage with one ‘cringe’ gesture at Super Bowl
Super Bowl viewers have taken to social media to call out Donald Trump's controversial gesture in the stands
Donald Trump has sparked outrage online following one particular 'cringe' gesture he made at the Super Bowl.
The eagerly-anticipated Super Bowl final on Sunday (9 February) saw a number of famous faces in the stands including Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper, Zac Efron, Pete Davidson and Trump whose appearance marked the first time a sitting American president has attended the major sporting event.
Now, during the national anthem, the president could be seen doing a salute while others around him, including his daughter Ivanka, put their right hand over their heart.
Viewers at home have since rushed to social media to share their thoughts on Trump doing the salute at the Super Bowl - despite the fact he's never actually served in the military.
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One Instagram user wondered: "Why is he saluting if he was never in the military?"
"Saluting?? Wasn’t he a draft dodger??" asked a second.
Another penned: "He is not military. He should not be saluting. Period."
"A global embarrassment," declared a final Instagram viewer.
Now, in case you didn't know, the 78-year-old Republican leader received military draft deferments five times, once for bad feet and four times for college.
By the age of 22, Trump - who was 6 feet 2 inches tall and an athlete - had already avoided the military draft four times in order to complete his college education at the University of Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1968, the year he was set to graduate, he received a diagnosis that landed him a fifth draft deferment that would keep him out of the Vietnam war which saw more than 58,000 US fatalities.
Trump was diagnosed with bone spurs on his feet which the NHS describes as 'bony lumps that grow on the bones' - making him seemingly unfit for service.
He avoided the war and, instead, joined his father in business.
"I look forward to joining the fans in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX to cheer on two great teams – the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles – as they battle for the National Football League’s Vince Lombardi Trophy," Trump previously in a statement.
"The coaches, players, and team staff on the field tonight represent the best of the best in professional football, but they also embody the best of the American Dream. Their hard work, dedication, and tenacity is admirable, and their individual journeys are as inspiring as the drive and determination that has led them to this extraordinary moment.
"They also represent the hopes and dreams of our Nation’s young athletes as we restore safety and fairness in sports and equal opportunities among their teams."
He added: "Football is America’s most popular sport – for good reason – it fosters a sense of national unity, bringing families, friends, and fans together and strengthening communities. This annual tradition transcends our differences and personifies our shared patriotic values of family, faith, and freedom heroically defended by our military service members, law enforcement officers, and first responders.
"We value their devotion to protecting our great Nation and salute their selfless service."
Topics: Donald Trump, Celebrity, Politics, Sport, Super Bowl
Rhiannon Ingle