Photo: Alex Wong/Getty
A bullied sixth-grader from Wilmington, Delaware,who was invited to Tuesday night’s State of the Union speech, caught the Internet’s attention when he fell asleep partway throughthe lengthy address.
Joshua Trump, whose family said he was mocked and cursed at in school because he shares the same last name as President Donald Trump, was seated near First LadyMelania Trumpfor the annual address before Congress.
The “so cute” moment,according to one tweet, brought together detractors and supporters alike of Trump’s 82-minute evening address (reportedly the third-longest in history) which went well into the 10 o’clock hour.
“Joshua Trump is a Trump I can get behind,” one userwrote on Twitter.
The news outlet Splinter agreed,tweeting, “Goodnight, everyone. May you snooze as peacefully as Joshua Trump, the young man who became a legend tonight.”
Others were more succinct.
“Joshua Trump owns,” journalist and lawyer Luppe B. Luppenwrote.
Former Hillary campaign staffer Josh Weinbergsaid, “JOSHUA TRUMP RULES.”
In summary, accordingto one Twitter user, “Went from being bullied to a LEGEND in 24 hours!!!!! Joshua Trump…Yewww are one great kiddo!”
President Donald Trump during his State of the Union address on Tuesday.Andrew Harnik/AP/REX/Shutterstock
In an announcement about Joshua’s attendance at the State of the Union this week, the White House said, “Unfortunately, Joshua has been bullied in school due to his last name.”
“[Joshua] appreciates science, art, and history,” the announcement continued. “He also loves animals and hopes to pursue a related career in the future. His hero and best friend is his Uncle Cody, who serves in the United States Air Force.”
“They curse at him, they call him an idiot, they call him stupid,” his mother, Megan Trump, told WPVI.
She added: “He said he hates himself, and he hates his last name, and he feels sad all the time, and he doesn’t want to live feeling like that anymore, and as a parent that’s scary.”
Eventually, Joshua’s last name was changed to his father’s name, Berto, in the school’s system, according to WPVI.
Presidential guests at the State of the Union are a decades-long tradition, and they usually serve a symbolic — even political — purpose, either attending to receive thanks for their patriotic contributions or to underscore a policy position or argument of the president. Lawmakers in the audience, in turn, bring guests of their own.
For his first State of the Union, in 2009, PresidentBarack Obamainvitedeighth-grader Ty’Sheoma Betheafter she asked Congress for funding for her school.
source: people.com
