Donald Trump's wild demand for 'no fat soldiers' at rambling US Army speech
The US leader turned what was intended to be a 250th birthday celebration for the US Army into a full-blown political rally, and demanded "no fat soldiers" be shown behind him at Fort Bragg
Donald Trump has sparked a fresh military backlash after ordering 'no fat soldiers ' be shown behind him during a rambling speech at Fort Bragg.
The US leader turned what was intended to be a 250th birthday celebration for the US Army into a full-blown political rally. The president, speaking to troops in North Carolina, launched into a tirade of abuse, mocking foes, slamming the media, and goading soldiers into cheering and booing his political enemies live on national television. But behind the scenes, the entire event had been carefully stage-managed. Internal army messages revealed that troops were handpicked for their loyalty to Trump as well as their looks.
One blunt instruction read: 'No fat soldiers.' Another ordered that any troops who didn't back the president should be quietly replaced. 'If soldiers have political views that are in opposition to the current administration and they don't want to be in the audience, then they need to speak with their leadership and get swapped out,' the message said.
His appearance came after Trump ordered the National Guard and US Marines to Los Angeles, after demonstrations about his immigration purge erupted. The move to pit the US military against civilians has been met with widespread condemnation, with the state of California successfully suing to take the military off its streets.
During his speech, Trump, however, whipped up the hand-picked audience, taking aim at California Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass, whom he branded 'incompetent' and accused of helping 'insurrectionists.'
'We will liberate Los Angeles and make it free, clean and safe again,' Trump roared. The shameless spectacle has sparked fury from senior military figures who say the event trampled over long-standing rules that bar political activity while in uniform.
'This has been a bad week for the Army for anyone who cares about us being a neutral institution,' one commander at Fort Bragg said anonymously. 'This was shameful.'
To make matters worse, a pop-up shop flogging Trump campaign gear was allowed to set up on base. Soldiers were seen buying MAGA necklaces and mock 'White Privilege Cards' from Oklahoma-based vendor 365 Campaign. Selling political merchandise on a military base is a breach of Pentagon rules.
The Army has long tried to avoid even the appearance of backing one party or candidate. Colonel Mary Ricks, a Fort Bragg spokesperson, admitted the stall's presence was under investigation. 'The vendor's presence is under review to determine how it was permitted and to prevent similar occurrences in the future,' she said.
US defence experts said the event was a disaster for military credibility. The silence from top military leadership, they said, only made it worse. Trump is throwing himself a jaw-dropping £24 million military parade in Washington today/tomorrow (Sat) to mark his 78th birthday, complete with tanks, jets, marching bands and thousands of troops.
Dubbed 'Salute to America,' the extravagant bash is being billed as a tribute to the Army's 250th anniversary, but critics say it's nothing more than a shameless campaign stunt wrapped in camouflage.
'This isn't about the Army, it's about Trump playing general on his big day,' one ex-military officer fumed. The former president will give a primetime speech flanked by uniformed soldiers, many of whom were reportedly ordered to attend. Taxpayers are footing the bill for the whole spectacle, with cash being diverted from military training budgets to cover the cost of flyovers, fuel, transport and security.
'The most expensive birthday party in American history,' one Pentagon insider said.
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