Trump roasted after saying the '1917 flu pandemic ended the Second World War'

Somehow, President Donald Trump being whisked away by the Secret Service wasn't the highlight of yesterday's White House coronavirus briefing for social media users. 

President Donald Trump was roasted on Twitter after he stated that the Spanish Flu ended World War II, incorrectly stating both the year that the pandemic occurred and identifying the incorrect war.

"The closest thing is in 1917, they say, the great pandemic. It certainly was a terrible thing where they lost anywhere from 50 to 100 million people, probably ended the Second World War," Trump said. "All the soldiers were sick. That was a terrible situation."

A White House official told media outlets that President Trump was talking about World War I. But that didn't save the president from criticism on Twitter, with one user writing: "President Trump just claimed that the 'great pandemic' of 1917 'probably ended the Second World War.' Difficult to know where to start with that one."

Rep. Eric Swalwell added: "The Second World War ended in 1945. It’s cruel for  @DonaldJTrumpJr and family to let  @realDonaldTrump stand out there like this."

"Trump says the Spanish Flu in 1917 'probably' ended the Second World War," another user added. "The Spanish Flu was in 1918 and WWII ended in 1945. It's 'probably' a good thing the Secret Service cut that press conference short."

President Trump's briefing was initially cut short after a shooting near the White House.

"At approximately 5:53 PM today, a 51-year-old male approached a U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division officer who was standing at his post on the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. near the White House Complex," the Secret Service explained in a statement.

"The suspect approached the officer and told the officer he had a weapon. The suspect then turned around, ran aggressively towards the officer, and in a drawing motion, withdrew an object from his clothing. He then crouched into a shooter’s stance as if about to fire a weapon. The Secret Service officer discharged his weapon striking the individual in the torso. Officers immediately rendered first aid to the suspect and D.C. Fire and EMS were called to the scene. Both the suspect and the officer were transported to local hospitals."

"The White House Complex was not breached during the incident and no Secret Service protectees were ever in danger."