Melania’s farewell speech causes #ByeFelicia to trend on Twitter
As President Donald Trump‘s final day in office edges ever closer (and his second impeachment trial awaits), his wife, Melania Trump, has given her farewell speech after four years as First Lady. Naturally, as we’ve all come to expect, Twitter (the platform Trump was recently banned from) has reacted with a vengeance: namely by getting the hashtag #ByeFelicia to trend. Ooft.
Quick recap for those unfamiliar with the term, “Bye, Felicia!” comes from a scene in the 1995 movie Friday, starring Ice Cube, but in recent years has become shorthand for dismissing someone with, y’know, a bit of flair. Like… BYE, FELICIA.
In her speech, Melania described her turn in the White House as “unforgettable” and “the greatest honour of my life”. She also said the nation is forever indebted to law enforcement officers, thanked healthcare professionals and mentioned meeting mothers who had battled opioid addictions. “When I think about these meaningful experiences, I am humbled to have had [the] opportunity to represent a nation with such kind and generous people,” Melania noted.
While this all sounds great and well-meaning on paper, many weren’t best pleased with the speech and referenced reports that Melania will be the first modern First Lady to not reach out to the woman set to replace her, offering a tour of the White House’s living quarters.
One Twitter fan posted a photograph of the Obamas moving into the White House after George Bush’s term ended: “This picture taken during the Bush to Obama transition, 2008… The Bush twins showing Sasha & Malia [Obama a] secret spot in WH,” they wrote. “Handled with grace kindness & dignity by both families. We’re in some crazy ass times. #BeGone #classless #ByeFelicia #BidenHarrisInauguration #inagurationday.”
Another social media user tweeted a GIF of incoming Vice President, Kamala Harris, saying ‘Let’s talk about packing’, with the comment, “One more day y’all 😂👋#ByeFelicia”.
In response to one Trump fan saying the world will miss Melania’s grace, courage and err, choice of high heels, as well as claiming people admired the First Lady for her “character and charm”, another weighed in with: “Madam, I’m British and I certainly didn’t admire her! In fact I don’t know anyone who did. What character? What charm? FYI anyone can walk in those heels but she certainly couldn’t walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. #ByeFelicia”.
Another expressed their joy at Twitter seemingly never forgetting some of Melania’s more misjudged moves (see: the tone deaf ‘I really don’t care. Do U?’ jacket she wore while on the way to a child detention centre, and that leaked recording about Christmas):
Tomorrow is Trump’s last day in office before Joe Biden is welcomed into power… let’s see how social media responds to that. 🙃
And for those wanting the watch the original “Bye, Felicia” in all its glory, see here:
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