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At Fort Bragg, Trump treats U.S. troops as if they're just another MAGA audience
When the president peddles partisan nonsense online, it’s forgettable. When he does it before active-duty troops on a military base, that’s ... different.
When Trump peddles cheap, partisan nonsense online, it's forgettable.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-06-11T14:14:14.961Z
When the commander in chief peddles cheap, partisan nonsense before active-duty troops at a military base, goading them into booing his opponents and the free press, it's ... different. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/fort-bragg-trump-treats-us-troops-re-just-another-maga-audience-rcna212302
The remarks resonated, though they also sparked a brief controversy: Observers noted that the Democrat delivered political remarks flanked by two Marines who were both visible in the background. It led some to argue that Biden had breached protocol and broken with “White House traditions” — concerns rooted in the idea that it’s inherently dangerous to mix politics and the U.S. military.
Three years later, those complaints sure do seem quaint. NBC News reported:
For all intents and purposes, the Republican president treated the active-duty troops at Fort Bragg as if they were just another MAGA audience — because, by all appearances, Trump believes members of the armed forces are just another MAGA audience (his own atrocious record on the military and service members notwithstanding).
Over the course of nearly an hour, the incumbent president didn’t just throw partisan red meat to his audience — condemning transgender student athletes, for example — he also goaded U.S. troops into booing Biden. And the free press. And American elected officials Trump doesn’t like.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:aunpu65mdrhwfie7ynymlzeh/post/3lrbroge6kk2b
The rhetoric was familiar. Indeed, the speech echoed the kind of rhetoric Trump uses on a near-daily basis. But context matters: It’s one thing when a politician peddles cheap, partisan nonsense by way of his social media platform or his latest Fox News appearance; it’s something else when the commander in chief of the nation’s strongest fighting force delivers cheap, partisan nonsense to active-duty troops on a military base......
The morning after the event, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told Fox News that Trump — who did not serve in the military and who has been credibly accused of disparaging those who wear the uniform — as an “incredible connection ... with his army.”
Except, of course, it’s not “his” military; it’s the country’s military.
When compiling evidence of the president’s authoritarian-style vision, it’s best to keep examples like this near the top.
Three years later, those complaints sure do seem quaint. NBC News reported:
[Donald Trump] delivered a campaign-style speech heavy on partisan politics [Tuesday] at Fort Bragg before thousands of soldiers and their families on the Army’s 250th birthday. Instead of a focus on the Army’s anniversary and its history, Trump’s speech at the country’s biggest Army installation was more reminiscent of his 2024 campaign stump speeches.
For all intents and purposes, the Republican president treated the active-duty troops at Fort Bragg as if they were just another MAGA audience — because, by all appearances, Trump believes members of the armed forces are just another MAGA audience (his own atrocious record on the military and service members notwithstanding).
Over the course of nearly an hour, the incumbent president didn’t just throw partisan red meat to his audience — condemning transgender student athletes, for example — he also goaded U.S. troops into booing Biden. And the free press. And American elected officials Trump doesn’t like.
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:aunpu65mdrhwfie7ynymlzeh/post/3lrbroge6kk2b
Link to tweet
The rhetoric was familiar. Indeed, the speech echoed the kind of rhetoric Trump uses on a near-daily basis. But context matters: It’s one thing when a politician peddles cheap, partisan nonsense by way of his social media platform or his latest Fox News appearance; it’s something else when the commander in chief of the nation’s strongest fighting force delivers cheap, partisan nonsense to active-duty troops on a military base......
The morning after the event, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told Fox News that Trump — who did not serve in the military and who has been credibly accused of disparaging those who wear the uniform — as an “incredible connection ... with his army.”
Except, of course, it’s not “his” military; it’s the country’s military.
When compiling evidence of the president’s authoritarian-style vision, it’s best to keep examples like this near the top.
8 replies
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The United States military should have better standards. Of course, if they did, these fucking military bases wouldn't be associated with traitorous, racist confederates, 
JD is apparently out there buying up stressed farms on the cheap?
