Melania Mocked Online Over This 2-Word Greeting She Made To US Navy Sailors

First Lady Melania Trump drew widespread attention this weekend after beginning her speech with an unexpected burst of military spirit during the U.S. Navy’s 250th Anniversary Celebration in Norfolk, Virginia. Her opening words — a loud “Hooyah, Navy!” — instantly energized the 10,000 sailors gathered at Naval Station Norfolk and quickly went viral across social media.

The milestone event, held on Saturday, October 5, brought together active-duty service members in full dress whites to mark a quarter-millennium of the Navy’s history. Despite the ongoing government shutdown, both President Donald Trump and the First Lady appeared in person to lead the commemoration, transforming the official ceremony into a lively display of patriotism.

President Trump, 79, took the stage first, blending humor and politics in his remarks. “Despite the current Democrat-induced shutdown, we’ll make sure our service members get every last penny,” he told the cheering audience. His comments were followed by chants of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and, as the energy built, he laughed, saying, “Let’s face it — this feels like a rally.” The President concluded his speech with his familiar dance to “Y.M.C.A.,” drawing laughter and applause throughout the crowd.

Moments later, Melania Trump stepped forward to deliver her remarks — and instantly captivated the audience. Her bold “Hooyah, Navy!” greeting drew an enthusiastic “Hooyah!” in return from the sailors, though many viewers watching online were puzzled by the unfamiliar expression.

Within hours, clips of her speech spread widely across X (formerly Twitter), with users debating the meaning of the phrase. One user asked, “What is ‘Hooyah’? Anyone?” while another joked, “I did NOT have Melania yelling ‘Hooyah’ on my 2025 bingo card — but I’m here for it!”