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Trump 'obviously joking' over applause treason comments

The White House said US president Donald Trump was speaking "tongue-in-cheek" when he said congressional Democrats could be guilty of treason for refusing to applaud his State of the Union address.

Spokesman Hogan Gidley said Mr Trump "was obviously joking" when he made the comments during an economic speech in Ohio on Monday.

Mr Gidley said what is serious is that it seems Democrats have put their personal hatred for Mr Trump above their desire to see the country succeed.

As he promoted tax cuts during Monday's appearance at an Ohio manufacturer, Mr Trump characterised a lack of a response from Democrats to the State of the Union address as "un-American".

Mr Trump also asked: "Can we call that treason? Why not?"

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