In the wake of the appalling Florida school shooting where 17 people lost their lives, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania met with survivors at a local hospital.
The First Family travelled to Florida to "pay their respects" to the victims, according to a White House spokesperson.
As well as meeting with victims of the shooting, Mr Trump also applauded first responders to the scene, telling law enforcement officers from various agencies:
What a job you've done. Very few people could've done what you did.
However, Mr Trump's appearance in photographs from his visit has sparked fury with some online.
In multiple pictures the President is seen grinning next to hospital beds, posing with a thumbs up next to patients.
Our entire Nation, w/one heavy heart, continues to pray for the victims & their families in Parkland, FL. To teachers, law enforcement, first responders & medical professionals who responded so bravely in the face of danger: We THANK YOU for your courage! https://t.co/3yJsrebZMG pic.twitter.com/ti791dENTy
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2018
Some suggested this showed a lack of respect.
Yep, it happened. We got to see Trump’s idea of a respectful, post-school-shooting Thumbs Up. pic.twitter.com/li5muQJ9xl
— Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) February 17, 2018
Less than 48 hours after 17 people were murdered at a high school in Parkland, Florida, Donald Trump pays a visit to a local hospital and is thumbs up and all smiles. MAGA! pic.twitter.com/jUs0JnfNB4
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) February 17, 2018
Trump literally thinks everything outside of his cocoon is a photo op and every photo op requires you to smile and give a big thumbs up like you are presenting a golf trophy.
— Schooley (@Rschooley) February 17, 2018
A running theme emerged.
Here’s Trump’s new header pic. He’s meeting with Florida police about the Parkland shooting and giving a thumbs up like he’s at the grand opening of a car lot. pic.twitter.com/IQhnsTPIfv
— shauna (@goldengateblond) February 17, 2018
Trump just changed his Twitter banner to him grinning and giving a thumbs up while meeting with people who just responded to a deadly school shooting pic.twitter.com/hNQnIJhfbu
— Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) February 17, 2018
Trump’s new Twitter banner is a photo of him posing with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office - the first responders in the Parkland shooting. He is grinning and giving a thumbs up.
— Andrea Dubé (@AndDube) February 17, 2018
Seriously, wtf is wrong with him? pic.twitter.com/eCzXW49Aoh
With many people weighing in.
"Mr Trump there has been a school shooting, so look human"
— TechnicallyRon (@TechnicallyRon) February 17, 2018
"Gonna smile in the photos with the victims"
"Why"
"Might do a thumbs up"
"No"
"After I've blamed the shooting on them obvs"
"For the sake of fuck"
You (a moron):
— James Felton (@JimMFelton) February 17, 2018
Thoughts and prayers
Trump (a stable genius):
Thoughts, prayers and a massive fucking thumbs up when meeting first responders and victims pic.twitter.com/6SlRggXrTs
Trump: *gives thumbs up*
— pixelated boat [ASMR] binaural ~4 hours~ (@pixelatedboat) February 17, 2018
Aide: Mr. President, this is a Holocaust memorial
Trump: *respectfully rotates thumb 180 degrees*
"Ok Mr President, you're meeting victims of the shooting and the medical staff who treated them. It's important that you look respectful and solemn"
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) February 17, 2018
Trump: "IMA DO A THUMBS UP"
"No sir, please just stand there and--"
"AND A BIG CHEESY GRIN" pic.twitter.com/tWs8jbCxQP