#LatteSalute: Obama under fire for saluting marines with coffee cup in hand

President Obama has greeted marines with a more-than-casual gesture – he saluted them while holding a cup of coffee in his hand. The video of the episode, posted on the White House’s Instagram, has provoked an avalanche of criticism.

The controversial gesture was in response to a formal salute by the military, when Obama stepped off his US Marine Corps helicopter in New York on Sunday.

The Instagram video featuring the moment has gone viral on social media, with Twitter users assigning a #LatteSalute hashtag to their posts on the incident.

The most common reaction has been to accuse Obama of showing disrespect toward the military and at a highly inappropriate moment – just as the US is launching airstrikes against ISIS positions in Iraq and Syria, and killing civilians in the process.

Many also wondered why the episode was even appearing on the White House’s official social media account.

Some also recalled a previous awkward salute by a US president, posting photos of George W. Bush, who saluted while holding his dog in 2001.

A "latte salute" from the President? Though I love #coffee, not appropriate in all situations... http://t.co/AhKxraFb8g

— Aubrey Blankenship (@aubreynb) September 23, 2014

Our Commander-in-chief should take the time to properly salute our heroes. They do it for them. pic.twitter.com/d7oa8zd3hN

— Dan Bongino (@dbongino) September 23, 2014

You want War with him Leading? Semper Latte: Obama salutes Marines, coffee cup in hand http://t.co/OROi9OpaCN

— CatoTheYounger (@catoletters) September 24, 2014

To @gatewaypundit & others attacking Obama for saluting Marines with coffee cup in hand, I offer this giant AHEM: pic.twitter.com/EY5BQsk9Qf

— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) September 23, 2014