President Donald Trump’s unusual attempt at a pregame coin toss has triggered a humorous reaction online, with many viewers expressing disbelief at how he managed to do it.
The annual Army-Navy football game was held on Saturday, December 13, at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium, marking the 126th meeting between the two military branches.
As customary, Commander-in-Chief Trump presided over the event, even starting it off by performing the coin flip.
Bundled up against the chilly weather in a winter coat, scarf, and leather gloves, the US leader was praised by the referee for his ongoing support of the armed forces before being asked: “Mr President, would you do the honor?”
With the Army choosing tails, Trump placed the coin flat on his palm and asked the players: “Are you all set?”
He then awkwardly lifted his arm and tossed the coin straight up without any spin, seeming to botch the coin flip, leaving viewers at home commenting similarly.
Social media users swiftly reacted to the moment, with one commenting: “I’ve never seen someone screw up flipping a coin until now.”
Another responded to the video, which quickly amassed millions of views, saying: “Trump tosses the coin into the air like he was releasing a baby bird.”
“President Trump threw the equivalent of a knuckle ball with his coin toss… no spin at all,” a third person noted, adding: “I don’t know how he pulled that off.”
Someone else humorously compared it to ‘me on my first day of coin toss school’.
In a rare moment of political unity, one observer remarked: “Whether you’re left or right… we can all agree that was not a good coin toss.”
Meanwhile, a surprised sports commentator, Clay Travis, commented: “President Trump with the unprecedented coin toss that doesn’t appear to flip at all.”
After the coin landed, Trump, who had no trouble tracking it as it moved up and down in the air, pointed to it lying on the ground.
The barely spun coin eventually landed on tails, allowing the Army’s Black Knights to kick off, amid cheers from the large crowds of military personnel watching from the stands.
However, despite the perceived bad omen from the ‘failed’ coin flip, it did not bode well for the Army. The Navy Midshipmen narrowly secured a victory, winning 17-16 in an exciting match.
This year’s match marked the sixth annual Army-Navy game attended by Trump, making him the tenth president to attend since Theodore Roosevelt started the tradition in 1901.
Last year, he attended the game before taking office, while still buoyed by his second election win.
We have reached out to the White House for comment.