Donald Trump produced a gaffe for the comedy purists at a meeting in the White House, when he mistakenly told a fellow speaker his father is “looking down” on him and feeling proud.

Steelworker union president Scott Sauritch replied: “Oh, he’s still alive.”

President Trump: âYour father ... is looking down, heâs very proud of you right now.â



Local steel worker union president: âOh, heâs still alive.â



Trump: âOh, he is? Then heâs even more proud of you.â pic.twitter.com/rLKIlMDzkr — NBC News (@NBCNews) March 8, 2018

Trump was speaking with steelworkers after announcing new tariffs on steel and aluminium exports.

The response to the tickling exchange has been one largely of ridicule – with some likening it to a moment from a sitcom.

Some took pity on Trump though, and suggested his words had been misconstrued.

His father could just be really condescending. You don't know. — Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) March 8, 2018

âYes, I just meant heâs very tall. Like Comey tall.â — John Dalton (@Dalton642) March 8, 2018

Others thought he could at least rely on his press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, to put in a good word for him about the mistake.

Sarah Sanders tomorrow: Trump is a very religious person he was referring to our father who art in heaven. https://t.co/HEwLeQyMIX — Levi Fishman (@levifishman) March 8, 2018

And finally one guy harked back to a previous meme about Trump.

*Trump checks note card* "I hear you." — Matt DeCample (@DeCample) March 8, 2018

PA Media