Melania Trump's 'strange' birthday card from White House goes viral

A birthday message from the White House to Melania Trump has gone viral on Twitter after scores of people mocked the “strange” picture choice.

The White House wished Mrs Trump a happy 49th birthday on social media alongside a picture of the First Lady sitting alone on a sofa as nearly 20 photographers circled her.

However, people quickly began to mock the picture, which was taken during a meeting between Donald Trump and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis in March.

Many branded the picture choice “strange” and “weird”, while one person wrote: “What a lovely image of Melania with her faithful companion, an empty couch cushion.”

“Honestly one of the saddest birthday ‘tributes’ I’ve ever seen,” another said. “No pictures laughing with her son? Spontaneously hugging her husband? Even just genuinely smiling?”

One wrote: “The person responsible for choosing images for this official account needs to find a new line of work. Unless, of course, they're working to make the White House look foolish.”

Other people quickly took advantage of Photoshop to edit in a companion for the First Lady, with Russian President Vladamir Putin and a dressed-down Mr Trump among them.

The US President is yet to share a birthday message to his wife on social media, but did send out a mass email on Thursday asking for one million signatures for her birthday card.

“I need your help,” an email sent on Mr Trump’s behalf said.

“Our FANTASTIC First Lady Melania’s birthday is right around the corner, and I want to do something special for her because she is so special to me.

“We all know that Melania is an INCREDIBLE wife, mother, and First Lady. Help me show her how much the American people love her!”