Social media users have torn into Barack Obama after the US president was seen chewing gum during solemn ceremonies to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

People took to Twitter to denounce Obama’s “shameful” and “vulgar” chewing, with one user attacking him as a “lout”.

#DDay what do you call a guy who goes to a solemn occasion and won’t stop chewing gum? President of the US. http://t.co/4kmzHk5iTO #tcot

— David Jack Smith (@davidjacksmith) June 6, 2014

French Twitter not pleased with President #Obama — and his chewing gum http://t.co/9sZAQlqPDj via @HuffPostPol

— Matthew Fraser (@frasermatthew) June 6, 2014

“Obama do you want a Coke too while chewing gum while the Marseillaise is being played?” said toto_des_bois, referring to the French national anthem.

“The Queen arrives and you have Obama chewing gum, #DDay70” said diminou, another Twitter user.

The US leader faced similar attacks on social media after he was seen apparently chewing gum during Nelson Mandela’s funeral in December.