Trump ridiculed for being clueless about the definition of a ‘coup’ as he attacks the impeachment inquiry

President Donald Trump has long claimed that any investigation into his administration was a "witch hunt." But as polls have shown growing support for impeachment, he has now escalated his rhetoric against checks and balances.

On Tuesday, Trump claimed that there was a "coup" occurring in America.

A coup d'état refers to an illegal overthrow of an existing government.

However, an impeachment proceeding is not illegal -- it is written in the Constitution -- and it wouldn't overthrow the existing government as Republican Vice President Mike Pence would ascend to the presidency.

That Trump was unfamiliar with the situation provided much fodder for the commander-in-chief to be mocked online. Here's some of what people were saying: