President Donald Trump took his first trip on Air Force One on Thursday.
But some reporters and people noticed that he didn’t wave to the press, as was a tradition for presidents in the past. Some people and reporters expressed anger on Twitter, using it as another opportunity to attack the president.
He left Andrews Air Force Base for Philadelphia because he was slated to address the 2017 Republican retreat.
On CNN, a pundit noticed that he walked up the stairs to the plane and went in but didn’t wave. Longtime CBS reporter Mark Knoller also noted the same thing, saying the gesture is what “presidents have done for decades.”
Pres Trump boards Air Force One, but doesn’t turn around to wave – as presidents have done for decades. pic.twitter.com/pUOPtB0V0w
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 26, 2017
Trump boards Air Force One for the first time as POTUS for flight to Republican summit in Philadelphia – no wave pic.twitter.com/SNVvCiVTRk
— Simon Carswell (@SiCarswell) January 26, 2017
3rd world problems: I’m starving
2nd: my Lada won’t start
1st: this espresso isn’t soy
beltway problems: Trump didn’t wave https://t.co/lwTZVQn4ix
— Welcome To The Oort (@ClarkHat) January 26, 2017
President Trump gives reporters a quick look inside “beautiful” Air Force One: “This is a very special plane for a lot of reasons.” pic.twitter.com/HhaFzULbJT
— ABC News (@ABC) January 26, 2017
“Classy… just watched Trump board Air Force One and didn’t turn around and wave,” wrote one user on Twitter.
But as he arrived in Philadelphia 20 minutes later, Trump gave a thumbs-up sign and waved as he descended.
The president also gave reporters a tour of Air Force One. One reporter asked him how his first flight was, and Trump replied: “Beautiful. Great plane.”
“This is a very special plane for a lot of reasons,” he added.
