A video of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan slapping a child on stage during a ceremony in Rize province has become a topic of debate on social media.
The incident occurred on July 27 at the inauguration of the Aider Plateau Conservation and Renewal Project, a province-wide urban transformation and disaster housing initiative.
The footage, which has now gone viral on X, shows Erdoğan extending his hand for the traditional kiss to two boys brought on stage. However, one of the boys hesitated, leading Erdoğan to ‘slap’ the boy in the face.
After this the boy kissed Mr Erdogan’s hands and the President gave some money as a gift to both the children.
After this both the children hugged the Turkish President.
??Erdogan, Turkey’s aspiring dictator, slapped a newborn boy because he didn’t kiss his hand right away. pic.twitter.com/UKdoVrxDu1
— Pyotr Kurzin (@PKurzin) July 28, 2024
Although the act was not violent and many thought it was a joke, the video sparked discussion on the Internet.
Some users criticised him, with one saying, “I wonder how he treats people behind closed doors when he can do this in front of the camera.”
I wonder if he can do this in front of the camera then how does he treat people behind closed doors?
— ️️ً (@gobdeq) July 28, 2024
Another wrote: “This world is making me sicker every day.”
This world is making me sicker day by day.
— Liberties Light (@UnitedWeWin1776) July 28, 2024
Others called the president’s behavior “disgusting” and “pathetic.”
What Erdogan said is disgusting.
— Errinle (@errinle) July 28, 2024
Pathetic behavior.
— Indian (@crazyindian1947) July 29, 2024
However, some users defended Mr Erdogan’s actions, saying kissing the hand of elders is a symbol of respect in Turkish culture.
One user commented, “I loved this. Kissing the hands of your elders, parents and grandparents is a sign of respect, especially in Turkey. If you don’t do it you get scolded. Especially at a young age.”
love it ????
Kissing the hands of your elders, parents, grandparents is a sign of respect, especially in Turkey. If you don’t do it, you get scolded. Especially at a young age.
— Sokol0311 (@Sokol0311) July 28, 2024
Another wrote: “‘Slap baby’ come on now lol.”
“slap baby” come on now lol
, ➡Mr•Know•It•All ???????? (@Leortiz12) July 28, 2024
This was not the first time the Turkish president has been seen abusing children. Earlier, while visiting his family’s neighbors in Rize, Mr. Erdoğan slapped a child who asked for an autograph on a Turkish national team T-shirt.
In 2021, at the inauguration of the Salarkha Tunnel in Rize, Mr Erdogan was seen patting a boy on the head.
According to reports, the President also slapped his grandson in public last year, but he later claimed he was only “slapping” him.
