Melania Trump mocked online after awkward “Hooyah, Navy” greeting during rare public speech
The First Lady’s enthusiastic salute to sailors at a Navy anniversary event drew mixed reactions on social media
Melania Trump made a rare public appearance alongside her husband, Donald Trump, at a Navy anniversary event in Virginia — but her two-word greeting to sailors, “Hooyah, Navy,” quickly became a talking point online.
On Sunday, the First Lady joined the president at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
The couple arrived more than an hour later than scheduled, with Donald wearing his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat and Melania donning a white USA cap and a brown bomber jacket in a look some compared to Top Gun style.
When Melania took the stage to deliver her remarks, she opened with an energetic “Hooyah, Navy.” While the crowd responded with applause, an awkward pause followed — and online viewers quickly weighed in.
Melania Trump: Hello, fellow cadets
WHAT?
pic.twitter.com/sNpLdMfFrm— Lucas Sanders 💙🗳️🌊💪🌈🚺🟧 (@LucasSa56947288) October 5, 2025
Social media reactions to Melania’s greeting
Clips of the greeting spread across X (formerly Twitter), drawing both humor and criticism.
“Please make it stop,” one user wrote, while another simply commented, “Cringe.” Others speculated that the line had been scripted, with one person asking, “Did her comms team tell her to say this to sound relatable?”
Some users mocked her attempt to use military jargon, with one post reading, “Now she speaks Navy — she can add that to her list of languages,” referencing past claims that Melania speaks several languages.
Her message to sailors
Despite the online backlash, Melania’s short address struck a patriotic tone.
“Generations of sailors have kept America free because of your presence on the high seas,” she said. “Your strength, bravery, and sacrifice inspire us all.”
Her appearance was one of few public speeches she has made in recent years, as she has largely stepped back from political life since leaving the White House.
While some supporters praised Melania for showing support to the armed forces, others said the moment underscored her discomfort in public speaking.
The clip continues to circulate online, with “Hooyah, Navy” becoming the latest viral moment tied to the First Lady’s rare public appearances.
