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Trump: Democrats who didn't applaud for me might be "treasonous"

President Donald Trump branded Democrats who failed to stand and applaud his State of the Union address last week as “un-American” — and even traitors.

President Donald Trump branded Democrats who failed to stand and applaud his State of the Union address last week as “unAmerican” — and even traitors.

During a speech on Monday meant to promote his tax reform in Cincinnati, Ohio, Trump recalled how he tried to avoid looking at Democrats during his first State of the Union address, since their stone-faced reactions brought “bad energy.”

“They were like death. And un-American. Un-American. Somebody said treasonous. I mean, yeah, I guess, why not?” Trump asked, shrugging. “Can we call that treason? Why not? I mean, they certainly didn’t seem to love our country very much.”

But treason, according to the U.S. Constitution, entails a little more effort than just refusing to clap for the president. Instead, “treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.”

In fact, people were so confused (and possibly concerned) that searches for the word spiked 5,900 percent after Trump’s speech, according to Merriam Webster.

Cover image: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave to supporters after arriving at Cincinnati Municipal Lunken Airport, Monday, Feb. 5, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)