Baltimore, 14 December (H.S.): President Donald Trump drew widespread ridicule on Saturday for his unorthodox coin toss at the 126th Army-Navy football game, where he opted for a gentle palm release rather than a traditional thumb flip, prompting a deluge of memes and quips across social platforms.
Unconventional Toss Sparks Viral Backlash
The event unfolded at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore during the storied rivalry matchup, which Navy narrowly won 17-16 after a tense fourth-quarter finish. Trump, attending his seventh such game as president or president-elect, strode to midfield amid cheers from cadets and midshipmen, saluted during the national anthem, and accepted the coin from the referee with a gloved hand.
Instead of imparting spin, he lofted it skyward in a manner likened by observers to freeing a fledgling bird or lobbing a lifeless fish, landing on tails to award Army the opening choice—which they deferred.
Social Media Erupts in Mockery and Defense
Online reactions proliferated instantaneously, with X users decrying the maneuver as the worst coin toss I've ever seen and jesting that it resembled passing dinner rolls or a cornhole pitch.
Detractors quipped, Did the coin even flip? while one mimicked Trump's style: RIGGED COIN TOSS! A HOAX ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE!Supporters countered that everybody is loving this and praised his vigor over predecessors.
Contextual Backdrop to the Presidential Appearance
Trump arrived via Marine One from Washington, shortly after vowing serious retaliation against ISIS following an ambush in Syria that claimed two U.S. soldiers and a civilian. On Truth Social en route, he teased impartiality: Everyone is asking who am I supporting, Army or Navy? My answer is: 'You must be joking if you think I’m going to give you that answer!'
Post-toss, he shook hands with captains before retreating to the Navy sideline, upholding a tradition dating to Theodore Roosevelt in 1901.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
