Trump met with awkward silence after attempting to get crowd to boo Obama

Donald Trump was brutally humbled during a public appearance in Norfolk, Virginia over the weekend, after encouraging crowds to 'boo' one of his presidential predecessors.

Speaking to a sea of US Navy officers (no pun intended!) at an event that commemorated the special force's 250th anniversary on Sunday (4 Oct), the 79-year-old fired an insult in the direction of Barack Obama - or, at least, he tried to.

Almost an hour into his lengthy speech, Trump suddenly centred his attention on several rows in particular, in which individuals in the midst of active service were sat.

It's important to note, however, that some of these military personnel have gone without pay ever since the controversial US government shut down - something which Trump addressed in his speech, telling the crowd: "We will get our service members every last penny. Don’t worry about it."

Donald Trump's comments about Barack Obama were met with an awkward silence (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Seemingly attempting to win the group over, Trump flitted from recounting stories of wars he's never fought in, to cracking jokes about the highs and lows of life in the forces.

Apparently, however, the most excruciating aspect of the right-wing frontman's address was yet to come. Minutes later, he attempted to rinse the 44th POTUS in what has been branded a comedic flop.

He brought up Obama during a chat about his former White House physician, Rep. Ronny Jackson, kicking off with: "A man that everybody loves, he was my doctor in the White House and I got to know him very well."

Name-dropping the president who came before him, Trump continued, "He was also the doctor for Barack Hussein Obama. Have you heard of him?" being sure to place emphasis on the ex-Democratic leader's middle name.

Trump attempted to fire a shot in Obama's direction (RYAN COLLERD/AFP via Getty Images)

For reference, Trump has been slammed as racist by critics in the past for his apparent fascination with Obama's middle moniker, having used it previously to argue that the now 64-year-old was never eligible to have been US leader, falsely claiming the father-of-two wasn't born in America.

After, once again, placing a heavy emphasis on his predecessor's middle name this week, it appeared as though Trump expected to be met with a roar of 'boos' from members of the Navy.

Awkwardly, however, his pause for effect was filled with a painful silence that seemed to stretch on for several seconds.

Apparently undeterred by the cringe-worthy rebuttal, Trump attempted again to lighten the mood within the stands, all the while gloating over his allegedly fantastic health (which, itself, has been called into question regularly in recent weeks).

"He was a doctor for a man named Bush," the President continued of Jackson. "And at a press conference they asked him, 'Who’s in the best shape, who’s the healthiest, who’s the strongest, who’s the best physical specimen of the three?'.

Many attendees were less than impressed (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"'That’s easy. President Donald Trump!'. And I said, 'I love this guy!'."

Unsurprisingly, Trump's blunder has since gone somewhat viral online, with critics poking fun at the politician for his tumbleweed moment.

Taking to the discussion forum Reddit, one jibed: "Classic Trump move, trying to stir drama where none exists. Predictable and cringeworthy, honestly." Another went on to joke: "Lol he also says he's more fit than Obama.. I'd pay to see a one-on-one basketball match - or Golf but with no carts and no caddies."