On Thursday, President Donald Trump chose to make a televised appearance at the White House press briefing — while he was reportedly very close by in the Oval Office.

President Trump delivered a brief message via video at today’s White House press briefing https://t.co/dzGWaKTM44 https://t.co/Hid4R7dDnW — CNN (@CNN) January 4, 2018

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Trump appears on the video in the press briefing room, which is maybe 50 yards from the Oval Office. — Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) January 4, 2018

Trump…who is like 50 feet away from the briefing room…opted to post a video statement shouting at the room of reporters…instead of just showing up himself. — Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) January 4, 2018

Naturally, Twitter had a field day imaging why, exactly, the president chose to hide away and tele-conference in when he could have just addressed the assembled media himself.

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“Sounding more and more like a freaking dictator every day,” user James Reberry wrote. “That or it’s the possible dementia.”

Sounding more and more like a freaking dictator every day. That or it's the possible dementia. https://t.co/hPQY8jmpqg — James Reberry (@jamesreb) January 4, 2018

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“If he appeared, he’d take questions,” tweeted another. “And he can’t do that.”

Because if he appeared, he'd take questions. and he can't do that. https://t.co/NgbHSLA7Ht — Hank Epton (@HankEpton) January 4, 2018

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Check out some of the best responses below.

.@realDonaldTrump is afraid to take questions from the press. https://t.co/EWrc1XrrxL — 4️⃣6️⃣days until Nove〽️ber 3🗽 (@snowmanomics) January 4, 2018

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is this so reporters can't shout questions at him or because he doesn't feel like putting on dress pants https://t.co/1Y7UzLtjij — Catherine Rampell (@crampell) January 4, 2018

Wolff: "You guys, stuff in the White House is BONKERS!" Media: "Pfft, we knew that already, you're just expanding on OUR reporting. We know what's going on and have for a long time." WH: "Here's a totally crazy thing we're going to do" Also media: "Oh, OK." https://t.co/UvCyJGWHUj — Better than Ezra Klein (@Yeggo) January 4, 2018

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Press can't ask questions if he's on video… https://t.co/87qh6gGTvY — Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) January 4, 2018

Trump is back to using wrestling production techniques. https://t.co/4Pw8P3LvQc — Tom (@RedneckGoalie30) January 4, 2018

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TUESDAY: @PressSec: Trump is "one of the most accessible presidents we've ever had." THURSDAY: @POTUS beams a video of himself into the press briefing to avoid questions. pic.twitter.com/PQOaw88aOt — Jesse Lehrich (@JesseLehrich) January 4, 2018

This is the equivalent of when he used to call in to TV news shows, making it much harder to ask him questions or interrupt. https://t.co/fpfz1LWmbA — Philip Bump (@pbump) January 4, 2018

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Pretty much admitting that they are scared shitless to let him address the press live. The wheels have not only come off…. they're now rolling down the street on fire. https://t.co/BaKYUvyhjV — ⚜ Christi ~ Agent 355 ⚜ (@BayouOwl) January 4, 2018

I ask just how much more insane it can get… And they respond. Every. Day. https://t.co/ATFZPT1xXU — Todd Poirier (@todd_poirier) January 4, 2018