VideoStar-mangled banner: Trump appears to sing wrong words to US anthem, earning a chorus of derision

US President Donald Trump sings along with the US national anthem before the NCAA College Football Playoff Championship game between Alabama and Georgia in Atlanta on Monday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:35pm, 9 Jan 2018Updated: 9:29pm, 9 Jan 2018

His right hand over his heart, President Donald Trump seemingly butchered the US national anthem while standing near the 40-yard line ahead of the college football championship game in Atlanta on Monday night.

Footage showed Trump mouthing the wrong words as a choir of four harmonised, “at the twilight’s last gleaming”, and during other segments of The Star-Spangled Banner.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump CRUSHING the anthem @BarstoolNewsN pic.twitter.com/XyLhEGZm7O

— Barstool Sports (@barstooltweetss) January 9, 2018

Before his apparent anthem flub, Trump was welcomed onto the field by a mixture of boos and cheers.

The White House announced last week that Trump would attend the championship game between the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia.

Trump’s apparent botching of the words drew particular attention in light of his repeated attacks on black NFL players kneeling during the anthem.

US President Donald Trump on field during the national anthem in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Agence France-Presse

Trump insists that the protesting footballers are “disrespecting” the flag and the anthem. Activists have attempted to correct Trump, telling him that the players are protesting racism and police brutality, not the flag or the anthem. But Trump has refused to back down.