At the Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration held on October 5 at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Melania Trump stole the spotlight with one unexpected word—“Hooyah Navy!” Nearly 10,000 sailors cheered back as the First Lady joined her husband, Donald Trump, for the milestone event that doubled as a patriotic rally.
While President Trump praised the military and vowed to support service members despite the ongoing “Democrat-induced shutdown,” the moment that went viral came from Melania’s opening shout. The internet quickly lit up with confusion, with one user asking, “What the f**k is Hooyah… anybody?”
So, what does it mean? In the U.S. Navy, “Hooyah!” is a battle cry symbolizing unity, courage, and morale. It originated during Navy SEAL training, where recruits shouted it to push through exhaustion and build camaraderie.
In her speech, Melania said it was an “honor” to celebrate America’s sailors and their “strength, bravery, and sacrifice.” Online, reactions ranged from puzzled to impressed, with one fan commenting, “Didn’t expect Melania to say Hooyah—but I’m here for it!”