Simon video 2 : 10 WTF Moments from Trump's Presidency
Welcome back to Best Top 10 Ever! Politics can be boring—unless Donald Trump is involved. His presidency was filled with moments so outrageous, they felt straight out of a comedy sketch. From shocking statements to downright unbelievable decisions, we're counting down 10 WTF moments from Trump's time in office that left the world speechless. Before we get started, make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss any of our crazy top 10s. Let’s get into it!
Donald Trump’s presidency was anything but ordinary. From the moment he took office in January 2017 until he left in January 2021, his time as the 45th President of the United States was filled with moments that left people around the world scratching their heads, laughing, or outright shocked. Whether you agreed with him or not, there were plenty of moments that made you say: “Wait... what just happened?”
Here’s a deep dive into 10 WTF moments from Trump’s presidency that shook the political world and captured the public’s attention.
10. The “Very Fine People” Controversy (2017)
One of the earliest and most controversial moments came in the aftermath of the violent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. In August 2017, white nationalists and neo-Nazis gathered for a “Unite the Right” rally. The event turned deadly when a man drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one woman and injuring many others.
Trump’s response stunned many. He said there were “very fine people on both sides,” which seemed to equate white supremacists with peaceful protestors. This moment was widely condemned, sparking outrage both in the U.S. and internationally. The phrase became a symbol of the president’s controversial handling of race and extremism.
For many, this was a WTF moment because it blurred moral lines in a situation where many expected a clear, forceful condemnation of hate groups. The backlash lasted for months, and Trump doubled down on his comments in several interviews, only fueling the fire.
9. The “Covfefe” Tweet (2017)
In the early hours of May 31, 2017, Trump tweeted a mysterious and grammatically puzzling message: “Despite the constant negative press covfefe.” The tweet was left unfinished, without any explanation, and it quickly went viral.
People everywhere were baffled. Was it a typo? Was it a secret code? Was it a new word? No one knew. The White House initially declined to clarify, adding to the confusion.
The term “covfefe” became a meme sensation and a symbol of the chaotic nature of Trump’s social media use. It was a WTF moment that highlighted how unpredictable and unconventional Trump’s communication style could be—even for a president.
8. The Bizarre North Korea Summit (2018)
In 2018, Trump shocked the world by agreeing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the first sitting U.S. president to do so. The meeting was historic but full of WTF moments.
From their first summit in Singapore to the follow-up talks in Vietnam and the demilitarized zone, Trump praised Kim repeatedly, calling him “very talented” and even suggested that the North Korean dictator had become his “friend.” This raised eyebrows considering North Korea’s human rights abuses and nuclear threats.
Critics argued Trump was too soft on Kim and that the summits produced few concrete results. The surreal images of Trump and Kim smiling and shaking hands in places previously marked by hostility were moments many never thought they'd see.
This was a WTF moment because it challenged decades of U.S. foreign policy norms and raised questions about the balance between diplomacy and appeasement.
7. The Twitter Feud with North Korean Leader
Beyond the summits, Trump’s personal and public Twitter feuds with Kim Jong-un were unprecedented for a world leader. They exchanged insults that sounded more like playground taunts than diplomatic dialogue.
Trump called Kim “Little Rocket Man” and warned of “fire and fury” if provoked. Kim responded with his own insults and threats.
The world watched in disbelief as two nuclear-armed leaders traded barbs via social media. This unfiltered and unpredictable communication style was a WTF moment for international diplomacy and showed how Trump used Twitter as a weapon and stage.
6. The Border Wall and Government Shutdown (2018-2019)
One of Trump’s signature campaign promises was to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border to stop illegal immigration. The battle over funding for the wall led to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, lasting 35 days from December 2018 to January 2019.
During this shutdown, about 800,000 federal workers were furloughed or worked without pay, causing widespread disruption. Trump declared a national emergency in February 2019 to divert funds for the wall, a move fiercely opposed by Democrats and many legal experts.
The stubborn insistence on funding a highly controversial wall, the lengthy shutdown, and the national emergency declaration all combined into a WTF moment that polarized the country.
5. The Helsinki Summit with Vladimir Putin (2018)
In July 2018, Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki. The meeting quickly became infamous when Trump publicly appeared to side with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
During a joint press conference, Trump questioned the findings of his own intelligence community and seemed to accept Putin’s denial of meddling without hesitation. The moment was met with bipartisan shock and intense criticism.
For many, this was a WTF moment because it was unusual for a U.S. president to openly challenge his own agencies in favor of a foreign adversary, sparking concerns about loyalty and national security.
4. The Impeachment Trials (2019 and 2021)
Trump was the third U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives, but he was impeached twice—an unprecedented event in American history.
The first impeachment, in 2019, was over allegations that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and his son. The second, in 2021, followed the January 6 Capitol riot, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Both trials captivated the nation. Trump was acquitted by the Senate both times, but the rapid succession of impeachment proceedings was shocking and divisive.
The fact that a sitting president could be impeached twice during his term was a massive WTF moment that showcased the intense political and cultural divisions in the country.
3. The Handling of COVID-19 (2020)
The global COVID-19 pandemic was a defining crisis during Trump’s presidency, and his handling of it was widely scrutinized.
From early dismissal of the virus’s severity to promoting unproven treatments like hydroxychloroquine, and contradicting health experts publicly, Trump’s management of the pandemic created confusion and controversy.
His optimistic predictions about quickly “opening up” the economy, downplaying mask-wearing, and public disputes with his own health advisors sparked criticism.
The pandemic response was a prolonged WTF moment because of the clash between politics, science, and public health, which arguably cost many lives.
2. The January 6 Capitol Riot (2021)
The events of January 6, 2021, remain one of the most shocking moments in American history. After months of Trump alleging widespread election fraud, thousands of his supporters gathered in Washington, D.C., for a rally.
What followed was a violent breach of the U.S. Capitol building, an attack on the heart of American democracy, resulting in multiple deaths, injuries, and arrests.
Trump’s initial response was criticized as slow and insufficient, and he was accused of inciting the violence through his rhetoric.
This moment was a huge WTF for many, as it tested the limits of democratic institutions and the peaceful transfer of power in the U.S.
1. The “Stable Genius” Tweet (2018)
One of the most iconic WTF moments was when Trump declared himself a “stable genius” in response to critics questioning his mental fitness for office.
In January 2018, he tweeted a long defense of his intelligence and decision-making, calling it “the smartest” anyone had ever seen.
This declaration was met with disbelief and mockery because self-praising phrases like that are rare for presidents. It was a WTF moment that captured the unusual and often brash communication style Trump brought to the White House.
Donald Trump’s presidency was packed with moments that left the world stunned, confused, or outright entertained. From controversial statements and social media chaos to historic summits and political drama, his four years in office reshaped American politics in ways few could have predicted.
These 10 WTF moments only scratch the surface of a presidency marked by unpredictability, controversy, and headline-grabbing events. Whether you viewed these moments positively or negatively, they undeniably made Trump’s time in office unforgettable.
Thanks for watching Best Top 10 Ever! Which Trump moment shocked you the most? Did we miss a wild one? Drop your thoughts in the comments below! And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more crazy top 10s every week. See you in the next video!
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