51 Amusing, Charming & Unforgettable
Trump Moments
Real moments reported by mainstream media
1. Trump discovers the word “covfefe”
On May 31, 2017, Trump posted the unfinished sentence, “Despite the constant negative press covfefe.” The mysterious word remained online for several hours before he deleted it and followed up with: “Who can figure out the true meaning of ‘covfefe’ ??? Enjoy!” Rather than quietly disappearing, Trump essentially turned his typo into a joke himself. Reuters report on “covfefe”
2. Trump actually leaned into the “covfefe” joke
The amusing part wasn't merely the original typo. After deleting it, Trump invited the public to figure out its meaning, giving the incident a playful second act. The word became an enormous internet phenomenon and one of the most recognizable pieces of Trump-era political vocabulary. The Washington Post on “covfefe”
3. The Diet Coke button
Trump had a small button installed on the Oval Office desk that could summon a butler with a Diet Coke. When a journalist noticed it, Trump demonstrated what it did; the button became an instantly recognizable piece of White House trivia. TIME's report on Trump's Diet Coke button
4. Trump used the Coke button to surprise visitors
The button acquired an almost theatrical quality because visitors sometimes assumed it might have a much more serious purpose. Trump reportedly enjoyed pressing it and watching people wonder what the mysterious button did—only for a Diet Coke to arrive. TIME's account of the Oval Office button
5. “I try like hell to hide that bald spot”
At CPAC, Trump joked openly about his own hair and the difficulty of maintaining his famous hairstyle. “I try like hell to hide that bald spot,” he told the audience, adding that he would work harder at it. It is one of the clearest examples of Trump making himself the punchline. CNN interview discussing Trump's self-deprecating hair joke
6. Trump jokes about Arnold Schwarzenegger's Apprentice ratings
At the 2017 National Prayer Breakfast, Trump brought up Arnold Schwarzenegger taking over The Apprentice. He joked that the show's ratings had fallen and asked the audience to “pray for Arnold” and his ratings. It was classic Trump: bringing his television career into an otherwise formal presidential event. CNN's account of the moment
7. Trump and Schwarzenegger both knew it was a joke
Schwarzenegger later acknowledged that he found Trump's comment funny, even though he responded with his own joke about switching jobs. The exchange became a memorable example of two former television personalities trading jokes after both had become major political figures. CNN interview with Schwarzenegger about the exchange
8. Trump complains about his own book-cover photograph
Before his inauguration, Trump noticed that CNN's book about his 2016 victory used a photograph he disliked. He tweeted that the book might do well but complained that it had used the “worst cover photo of me!” It was an unusually candid glimpse of how closely Trump pays attention to photographs of himself. CNN behind-the-scenes report on Trump's book photograph
9. Trump jokes about his Home Alone 2 cameo
When Canada's CBC edited Trump's brief cameo from Home Alone 2, Trump responded jokingly that the movie “will never be the same” and immediately added: “Just kidding.” The CBC had actually removed several scenes in 2014, before Trump was president, but Trump nevertheless turned the incident into a joke. CNN transcript on the Home Alone 2 joke
10. Trump calls himself a “young, vibrant man”
During the 2020 campaign, Trump was asked about his age and Joe Biden's. Trump responded: “I am a young, vibrant man.” The deliberately exuberant description produced laughter and became one of his more memorable self-characterizations. CNN transcript of Trump's “young, vibrant” remark
11. Trump and Abe's marathon handshake
During Trump's first meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, their handshake lasted an unusually long time—about 19 seconds. Photographers captured Abe's reaction, and the handshake immediately became one of the most talked-about images of the new president's early diplomacy. TIME's report on Trump and Abe's handshake
12. Trump and Macron turn handshaking into an event
Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron developed a famously elaborate handshake style. Their first encounters included extraordinarily firm, prolonged grips that became a recurring feature of their public appearances. Reuters on the Trump-Macron handshake “duel”
13. The 29-second Trump-Macron handshake
One Trump-Macron handshake reportedly lasted approximately 29 seconds. Rather than an ordinary diplomatic greeting, it became almost a miniature sporting contest for photographers and television cameras. Reuters' account of the Trump-Macron handshake
14. Macron and Trump bring the handshake tradition back
Seven years after their original handshake encounters, Trump and Macron were still doing their famously elaborate handshakes when they met in Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame in December 2024. Reuters noted that the two leaders had developed a recurring tradition of unusually firm handshakes. Reuters, December 2024
15. Trump and Trudeau's famous handshake photograph
A Reuters photograph from Trump's February 2017 meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau showed Trudeau looking down toward Trump's extended hand just before they shook. The split-second photograph became an internet sensation precisely because the image looked much more dramatic than the actual meeting. TIME's report using the Reuters photograph
16. Trump and Trudeau keep things cordial despite the viral photo
The broader meeting was considerably more normal than the viral photograph suggested. Trump and Trudeau discussed trade and the bilateral relationship, posed together and emphasized their shared interests. The amusing photograph became much bigger online than the actual handshake itself. ABC/Reuters report on the Trump-Trudeau meeting
17. The famous Trump-Abe golf partnership
Trump and Abe quickly discovered that they shared an enthusiasm for golf. Their golf meetings became an informal part of their diplomatic relationship, giving their summits an unusually relaxed sporting component. The Guardian on Trump and Abe's golf diplomacy
18. Trump warns reporters not to believe him about his golf distance
During his 2017 Japan visit, Trump praised Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama's powerful driving. Trump then said he himself hit the ball “pretty long,” but added a wonderfully self-aware qualification: if he came back and claimed he had out-driven Matsuyama, “don't believe it.” The Guardian's report from Japan
19. Trump and Abe's “Donald and Shinzo” caps
During their Japan golf outing, Trump and Abe posed with customized white golf caps reading “Donald and Shinzo Make Alliance Even Greater.” It was a playful adaptation of Trump's campaign slogan into diplomatic golf merchandise. The Guardian's account of the golf outing
20. Abe's golf selfie with Trump
During the same Japan visit, Abe posted a selfie with Trump from the golf course. The image captured the unusually informal nature of their relationship compared with traditional diplomatic photo opportunities. The Guardian's report on Trump and Abe's golf diplomacy
21. Trump presents the President's Cup at a sumo tournament
In May 2019, Trump attended a major sumo tournament in Tokyo and presented the winner with a giant President's Cup. The trophy was roughly 54 inches tall and weighed about 70 pounds, giving the ceremony a wonderfully oversized presidential quality. The Guardian's report on Trump's sumo visit
22. Trump actually steps onto the sumo ring
Trump didn't merely watch the tournament. He entered the sumo ring and bowed to champion Asanoyama before presenting the trophy, producing an unusual and memorable presidential photograph. The Guardian's report on the sumo ceremony
23. Trump gets special chairs for sumo
Traditional sumo spectators sit on cushions, but Trump and the other VIPs were given armchairs near the ring. It was a small but amusing example of how an ancient Japanese sporting tradition had to accommodate a visiting American president. The Guardian's report on the event
24. The Saudi glowing-orb moment
During Trump's 2017 Saudi Arabia visit, he joined King Salman and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in placing their hands on a large illuminated globe at the opening of the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology. The photograph was so visually surreal that it immediately became one of Trump's most recognizable international images. The Guardian's collection of Trump’s funny moments
25. Trump participates in a Saudi sword dance
During the same Saudi visit, Trump participated in a traditional ardha sword dance with Saudi leaders and dignitaries. It was a striking departure from the normal formal choreography of presidential diplomacy and produced memorable photographs and video. Vanity Fair's report on Trump's Saudi visit
26. Trump and Kim Jong Un's extraordinary “love” description
After years of hostile rhetoric between Washington and Pyongyang, Trump dramatically changed tone and told a West Virginia crowd: “And then we fell in love.” He explained that he and Kim had exchanged letters and praised them as “beautiful” and “great.” Reuters coverage of Trump's remark
27. Trump jokingly predicts critics will call it “unpresidential”
Trump immediately anticipated the reaction to his unusual description of his relationship with Kim. He used a mock-news-anchor voice to imagine critics saying the president had become too friendly with Kim. That self-awareness made the story even more theatrical. The Washington Post's Reuters video report
28. Trump calls Kim “a funny guy”
Trump later described Kim Jong Un as having “a great personality” and being “a funny guy,” along with calling him smart and a good negotiator. Whatever one's view of the diplomacy, the description was an unusually personal way for a president to talk about a foreign leader. NBC report carried by Euronews
29. Trump calls Kim's letters “beautiful”
Trump repeatedly talked about letters exchanged with Kim Jong Un. In June 2019, Trump told reporters he had received another “beautiful letter” from Kim and said he appreciated it. Reuters report on Trump's letter comment
30. Trump becomes the first sitting U.S. president to step into North Korea
In June 2019, Trump met Kim at the Korean Demilitarized Zone and then stepped across the military demarcation line into North Korea. The moment was arranged after Trump publicly invited Kim to meet through Twitter, making the episode unusually spontaneous for a presidential summit. Reuters on the historic DMZ meeting
31. Trump invites Kim to the White House
During the same extraordinary encounter, Trump said he would invite Kim to the White House. Kim, in turn, said Trump would be welcome in Pyongyang. The exchange was an unusually personal ending to a meeting between leaders of two countries without normal diplomatic relations. Reuters on the Trump-Kim DMZ meeting
32. Trump turns Easter Egg Roll into a competition
At his first White House Easter Egg Roll in 2017, Trump looked at the children competing and joked that they were “highly, highly competitive.” He then joined the festivities and thanked Melania for working to make the event special. Official presidential transcript of the 2017 Easter Egg Roll
33. Melania gives Trump a little nudge
During the National Anthem at the 2017 Easter Egg Roll, Trump initially didn't place his hand over his heart. Melania subtly nudged him, and Trump immediately corrected himself. The tiny unscripted family interaction became one of the most shared images from the event. TIME's report on the Easter Egg Roll moment
34. Trump compliments children at Halloween
In October 2017, Trump welcomed children of White House reporters into the Oval Office for Halloween. The children arrived dressed as witches, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and a unicorn, and Trump handed out White House candy while complimenting the children. Associated Press report on the 2017 Halloween event
35. Trump becomes an instant Halloween photo opportunity
At the 2018 White House Halloween celebration, Trump and Melania stood outside handing candy to children dressed as superheroes, astronauts and princesses. The president wasn't wearing a costume, but happily chatted and posed for photographs with the children. Associated Press report on the 2018 Halloween event
36. The famous Minion candy-bar moment
At the 2019 Halloween celebration, a child dressed as a Minion approached Trump with a trick-or-treat bag. Instead of immediately putting the candy into the bag, Trump placed a chocolate bar on the child's head; Melania copied him, and the two candy bars subsequently fell off. TIME's report on the Minion moment
37. The Minion moment becomes a recurring Trump gag
The 2019 candy-bar incident became sufficiently memorable that Trump repeated the basic joke during the White House Halloween celebration in 2025. That makes it more than a one-off photograph—it became a little piece of Trump presidential folklore. Associated Press coverage of the 2025 Halloween event
38. Trump hosts Halloween again in 2025
Trump and Melania welcomed hundreds of costumed children to the White House in October 2025. The event included superheroes, dinosaurs, military-family children and children dressed as the president and first lady. Associated Press/PBS report on the 2025 Halloween celebration
39. Trump high-fives a miniature Trump
At the 2025 Halloween event, one group of children arrived dressed as the president, first lady and a Secret Service agent. Trump gave the child dressed as a miniature Trump a high-five and posed with the group. Economic Times report using AP coverage
40. Trump gives the “party pooper” a candy bar
Another 2025 Halloween child arrived dressed as a toilet with a “wide load” sign. Trump appeared amused by the costume and gave the child a chocolate bar, making the incident one of the lighter moments captured at the event. Economic Times report on the Halloween event
41. Trump takes children's Santa calls
On Christmas Eve 2018, Trump and Melania participated in the traditional NORAD Santa-tracking calls with children. Trump spoke with several children, asked about their Christmas plans and wished them a great Christmas. Associated Press report on Trump's Santa calls
42. The “marginal” Santa joke
During one Santa call, Trump asked a seven-year-old whether she still believed in Santa and then jokingly observed that at seven, belief was “marginal.” He chuckled and ended the exchange by telling the child to enjoy herself. It was quintessentially unscripted Trump humor. Associated Press report via PBS
43. Trump serves a football team a White House fast-food feast
When the Clemson Tigers visited the White House after winning the national championship in January 2019, Trump served them McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King and pizza. Because White House residence staff were furloughed during the shutdown, Trump said he personally paid for the meal. The Guardian's report using AP coverage
44. “300 hamburgers, many, many French fries”
Trump proudly showed reporters the enormous spread and announced: “We have pizzas, we have 300 hamburgers, many, many French fries.” The combination of an elegant State Dining Room, presidential silverware and hundreds of fast-food items produced an unforgettable visual. ABC News report on the Clemson dinner
45. Trump says it's “all American stuff”
When asked which fast-food chain he preferred, Trump declined to pick one. His answer was characteristically inclusive: “If it's American, I like it. It's all American stuff.” Associated Press report on the Clemson dinner
46. The legendary “hamberders”
Trump later tweeted about serving the Clemson team more than 1,000 hamburgers but accidentally wrote “hamberders.” The spelling mistake became another viral Trump-era word, especially because the event itself had already become famous for its enormous burger display. Yahoo's report carrying the event coverage
47. Trump works the McDonald's fry station
During the 2024 campaign, Trump traded his suit jacket for a McDonald's apron and worked the French-fry station at a Pennsylvania restaurant. He joked that he had always wanted to work at McDonald's and spent time serving customers through the drive-through window. CNN transcript of Trump's McDonald's visit
48. Trump spills the salt and calls himself superstitious
While working the McDonald's fry station, Trump spilled some salt and immediately joked: “I love salt. Wait a minute — I spilled some. I'm very superstitious.” It was an unusually spontaneous, ordinary moment for someone who had spent years in the Oval Office. CNN transcript of the McDonald's visit
49. Trump receives a German soccer jersey with his name on it
At the 2026 G7 summit, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz presented Trump with a German national soccer jersey bearing Trump's name and the number 47. Trump held it up and smiled for photographs; Merz joked that the two countries were “on the same team.” Associated Press report on the G7 gifts
50. “I'm the boss!”
At the 2026 G7 summit, Trump arrived a little late for a working session and cheerfully announced, “I'm the boss!” The assembled leaders laughed, turning what could have been an ordinary entrance into a distinctly Trumpian one-liner. AP specifically described the hot-mic exchange as one of the lighter moments of the summit. Associated Press's G7 hot-mic report
51. Trump wants Macron's forgotten watch
At the same G7 summit, French President Emmanuel Macron apparently left his watch behind after a working lunch. When another leader pointed it out, Trump immediately joked, “Give me it if he left, gimme,” producing laughter around the table. It's a small moment, but exactly the sort of spontaneous interaction that makes a collection like this interesting. Associated Press's G7 hot-mic report