Trump sparks fresh dementia concerns after he flubs name of iconic band

US President Donald Trump experienced a verbal stumble during a speech at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday when he faltered over the name of the iconic rock band KISS.

"It's an honour to present Kris...Kiss," the president quickly corrected himself, though not before social media users pounced on the opportunity to lambast him.

"Dementia Don!" one user mocked. "Rambling!" another chimed in.

During his remarks, Trump revealed he would be presenting the Kennedy Center Awards. He explained that organisers had approached him about hosting the December ceremony, to which he initially reacted with scepticism, branding them "fools" for believing he'd have availability amid his presidential responsibilities.

Nevertheless, Trump disclosed that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles persuaded him to accept the position, and consequently, "I've agreed to host.", reports The Mirror US.

"I think it will be quite successful," Trump declared, referencing his previous experience hosting "The Apprentice" finales.

In his fresh role as chairman of the centre, Trump also unveiled English actor Michael Crawford, renowned as the "Phantom of the Opera," as one of the Kennedy Center Honourees.

Trump praised the honourees, describing actor Sylvester Stallone as a "silver screen legend" whose star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame matches the prominence of Trump's own star. He also recognised Gaynor's 1978 chart-topping anthem, "I will survive."

This incident unfolded merely one day following President Trump's deployment of the National Guard onto Washington D.C. 's streets on Tuesday evening.

The crackdown followed a major operation involving 850 federal agents and federalised Metropolitan Police officers the previous night.

During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that authorities "made a total of 23 arrests," encompassing charges for murder, firearms offences, possession with intent to distribute drugs, fare evasion, indecent acts, stalking, possession of a high capacity magazine, drink driving, dangerous driving, and an outstanding warrant.

Democrats have condemned Trump for commandeering the city's police force and have challenged his claims that street crime is "out of control" given a sharp drop in criminal activity over the past two years.

On Tuesday, D. C. Mayor Muriel Bowser described Trump's actions as an "authoritarian push" and called on residents to "jump in" to "protect our home rule."

The president unveiled his approach on Monday, proclaiming the city needed "liberation" from "violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people," The Trump administration is currently embroiled in a court case in Los Angeles over its decision to deploy the California guard to quell immigration protests in the city last June. The outcome of this case hinges on whether a federal judge believes Trump's deployment violated a law from 1878 and should therefore be reversed.

However, in Washington D. C., the use of the guard could potentially be illegal. Legal challenges to the president's deployment of the D.C. guard have been few and far between as it typically occurs in collaboration with D.C. officials.

Unlike other guards, the D. C. guard can be used for regular law enforcement without breaching Posse Comitatus, according to the long-standing claim of the Justice Department.