Donald Trump was given a standing ovation during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2020 hosted by the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Maryland on 1 March, after he complimented his wife, Melania Trump.
As a clip of the US President speaking at the event was posted earlier to Twitter, where Donald Trump took a pause from dwelling on political rivals and lambasting the media to praise the First Lady, saying that his wife had asked him to say “Hello” to the crowd, and reminded him that his “first duty and highest loyalty was to the American citizens”. The President enthused:
“Can you believe this?! She’s like giving me a history lesson!”
In the clip Trump lauded his spouse for her work as First lady, saying:
“She’s doing a great job, very popular, great style, love our country.”
The audience responded by rising to their feet, clapping and cheering: “Great job.”
Trump also mentioned the First lady’s father Viktor Knavs, saying he was present in the crowd:
“Her father is here today. Where is Viktor?” asked Trump.
Finally, the President spied his father-in-law among the audience and pointed at him, referring to him as a “great guy.”
In the same clip, the President revealed that “First Lady” was the endearment he liked to use when addressing his wife.
“She says “It’s okay, you can call me Melania”… When I have fun like that, you know what’s going to happen? Tomorrow, it will be a headline!” said Trump.
Netizens weighed in on the episode, with some posting skeptical responses.
Earlier, the US President’s interaction with the country’s flag during the CPAC conference seemed disturbing to some social media users, when at the end of his address, Donald Trump hugged and kissed the US banner, appearing to say “I love you baby” in the process.