Trump blasted for double fist pump at 9/11 memorial service

DONALD Trump is facing a storm of criticism after a surprising gesture during a memorial service for the victims of September 11.

DONALD Trump is being savaged on social media for his bizarre entrance into a September 11 memorial service on the 17th anniversary of the terror attacks.

The US President was pictured greeting supporters as he arrived with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, at the memorial event in Pennsylvania.

As he and his wife made their way toward the crowd in Johnstown to pay their respects to the fallen heroes of United Airlines Flight 93, Mr Trump fired off a sudden double fist pump.

Critics were quick to label the triumphant gesture as displaying a “lack of respect” and an “inability to feel empathy for another person’s loss.”

Donald and Melania Trump arrive at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Picture: AP/Evan Vucci

The emphatic fist pump didn’t go unnoticed on Twitter, nor did a series of his trademark thumbs-ups throughout the day.

Trump gave a double fist pump at a 9/11 memorial explaining why he wasn’t invited to McCain’s funeral.

— Alan Spencer (@MrAlanSpencer) September 11, 2018

On one of the most solemn days in our nation's history, Donald Trump gives a double fist pump and a thumb's up as we mourn the almost 3,000 souls who perished on September 11th.

This is blasphemous. #NeverForget#911Anniversary pic.twitter.com/K3zsWsdpgG

— Spin Doctor (@SpinDr) September 11, 2018

Trump fist pump versus Obama eloquence. https://t.co/G9HnuJ6yoO

— Alison Meek (@Aly_Meek) September 11, 2018

Donald Trump first marked the 17th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with an angry morning tweet about Russia and Hillary Clinton. Now he’s seen fist bumping on his way to the field in Shanksville, PA, where 40 people died after a terror attack was thwarted. https://t.co/QkCgVoNf88

— Chris Riotta (@chrisriotta) September 11, 2018

The couple was en route to visit the Shanksville memorial site, where Mr Trump delivered a tribute to about 3000 victims of crashed Flight 93.

“On September 11, 2001, a band of brave patriots turned the tide on our Nation’s enemies and joined the immortal ranks of American heroes,” he remarked near where the aircraft went down 17 years ago.

“This field is now a monument to American defiance. This memorial is now a message to the world: America will never, ever submit to tyranny.”

The US is marking the 17th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. Picture: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/AFP

President Donald Trump flashes a thumbs up to supporters as he arrives at the 9/11 memorial service Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Picture: AP/Evan Vucci

Earlier, the US President kicked off the sombre day by tweeting about Hillary Clinton and special counsel Robert Muller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

“We have found nothing to show collusion between President Trump & Russia, absolutely zero, but every day we get more documentation showing collusion between the FBI & DOJ, the Hillary campaign, foreign spies & Russians, incredible.” @SaraCarterDC @LouDobbs

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2018

He then tweeted that his lawyer Rudy Giuliani “did a great job” as the mayor of New York throughout the 9/11 attacks, calling him a “TRUE WARRIOR!”

Rudy Giuliani did a GREAT job as Mayor of NYC during the period of September 11th. His leadership, bravery and skill must never be forgotten. Rudy is a TRUE WARRIOR!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2018

Eventually, he fired off a tweet on his way to the memorial event, reminding people:

17 years since September 11th!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2018

In a statement ahead of Mr Trump’s speech at the memorial event, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the US president’s focus for the day was “remembering the lives that were lost, and certainly honouring the individuals who were not only lost that day, but also put their lives on the line to help in that process.”