'Old Habits Die Hard': 'Freak' Trump Sparks Online Outrage Over Mid-Speech Comments to Female VP

President Donald Trump drew significant social media scrutiny following an impromptu interaction with a corporate executive during a White House healthcare event on Monday, May 18.

The event, held to announce the integration of over 600 generic medications into the administration's TrumpRx.gov directory, featured several private-sector partners.

Midway through his address, Trump invited a woman from the audience to the stage, telling her she looked "beautiful and nice," a moment that drew considerable criticism on social media.

During the event, Trump said that TrumpRx would offer "the largest discounts on prescription drugs in the history of our country."

The president remarked, “I think outside of maybe a cure itself, it's the biggest thing to happen to health care and everything.”

As he was delivering his speech, Trump stopped his remarks midway and directed his attention to a woman in the crowd, saying, "Would you like to say something? You're over there. You look so beautiful and nice. You two come on over here. Just say a couple of words about."

The woman, Tanvi Patel, vice president and general manager of Amazon Pharmacy, came to the stage and expressed gratitude before commencing her unplanned speech.

"It's been our mission to build a pharmacy with price transparency from day one," she said.

After she finished, Trump said, "Thank you very much. Good luck with this," and she returned to the audience.

Trump made a similar remark at a political rally in Clive, Iowa, when he invited Erica Pertal, general manager of Whiskey River Bar, to the stage, saying she would benefit from his proposed tax reforms.

Upon her arrival on stage, he said, "Oh, she's so beautiful," before adding, "I'm not allowed to say that anymore. If I say a woman is beautiful, that is the end of your political career." He then said, "But she is beautiful."

The president's comments quickly became a topic of discussion on social media. Netizens called out Trump for his awkward remarks during the White House event.

One user wrote, “He insults women by reducing them to their looks.”

Another user stated, “Trump makes it obvious Melania's only with him for the money and the benefits that come with it.”

An individual commented, “Donnie just can't help himself, can he?...Old habits die hard,” sharing a picture of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.

“This FREAK can’t control himself,” stated another. One user wrote, “He's picking his victims on camera. Lovely.”