Trump’s Troubled Relationship with the Military and Veterans Affairs: A Disparity Between Words and Reality
Trump’s Troubled Relationship with the Military and Veterans Affairs: A Disparity Between Words and Reality
The stark contrast between Donald Trump’s public praise of the military and his private disdain reveals a legacy of broken promises, disrespectful remarks, and autocratic ambitions.
Trump’s Troubled Relationship with the Military and Veterans Affairs: A Disparity Between Words and Reality
The stark contrast between Donald Trump’s public praise of the military and his private disdain reveals a legacy of broken promises, disrespectful remarks, and autocratic ambitions.
In 2019, Donald Trump boldly claimed, “I’m the best thing that ever happened to veterans.” Throughout his presidency, Trump often positioned himself as a staunch supporter of the military and veterans, publicly praising their service and advocating for their well-being. However, a closer look reveals a significant gap between his public rhetoric and his private actions, marked by disrespectful comments and a troubling preoccupation with autocratic military leadership. This article explores the contradictions between Trump’s public persona and his genuine attitude toward the military and Veterans Affairs.
1. Public Promises: “I Love the Military”
From the outset, Trump’s presidency was built on promises to rebuild the military and reform the Veterans Affairs (VA) system. His administration passed the Veterans Affairs Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act in 2018 and the VA Mission Act, which aimed to expand healthcare access for veterans by allowing them to seek private care outside of VA facilities. Trump frequently touted these legislative moves as significant achievements for veterans, claiming:
“Our great veterans are being treated terribly,” during his 2016 campaign.
While some hailed these efforts, critics pointed out they had significant flaws. The Mission Act, for example, was underfunded and mismanaged, leading to longer wait times and overburdened VA staff. Rather than improving conditions for veterans, Trump’s policies often exacerbated existing problems, highlighting a gap between his public promises and the reality on the ground.
2. Disparaging Remarks: The Private Face of Disrespect
Behind closed doors, Trump’s attitude toward military service members sharply contrasted with his public image. In 2020, The Atlantic reported that Trump referred to U.S. soldiers buried at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France as “losers” and “suckers” during a 2018 trip to honor fallen World War I soldiers. Trump reportedly questioned the purpose of visiting the cemetery, asking:
“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.”
This was not an isolated incident. In 2017, Trump accompanied John Kelly, his then-chief of staff, to Arlington National Cemetery. While standing by the grave of Kelly’s son, Robert, a Marine killed in Afghanistan, Trump allegedly remarked:
“I don’t get it. What was in it for them?”
Kelly and others close to Trump soon realized that he fundamentally could not grasp the concept of sacrifice—an essential value for service members. Trump’s view of military service was transactional, driven by personal gain, and his comments suggested a deep disdain for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
3. Trump’s Visit to Normandy: Public Praise Amid Private Scorn
In June 2019, Trump visited Normandy to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. His speech was filled with reverence for the bravery of the Allied soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy and helped liberate Europe. He stated:
“These men ran through the fires of hell, moved by a force no weapon could destroy—the fierce patriotism of a free, proud, and sovereign people.”
However, despite public praise, reports from The Atlantic revealed that Trump viewed the trip as little more than a photo opportunity, with no personal connection to the soldiers he was honoring. This dissonance between Trump’s public words and private sentiments highlighted a pattern throughout his presidency—his actions consistently undercut his rhetoric.
4. Veterans Affairs: Policies With Mixed Results
Trump’s administration enacted the VA Mission Act to allow veterans access to private healthcare, but this policy, like many others, was plagued by issues. The underfunding and poor implementation of the Act created additional strain on the already overwhelmed VA system, leaving many veterans without the care they were promised.
Trump frequently boasted about his reforms, saying:
“The vets were our greatest heroes, and we’re taking great care of them now,” in 2018.
However, for many veterans, the promised improvements have yet to materialize. The removal of VA Secretary David Shulkin in 2018 raised concerns that Trump was more interested in loyalty than competence, leading to questions about whether meaningful reforms were sacrificed for political expediency.
5. The Feud with John McCain: A Deep-Rooted Disdain
One of the clearest examples of Trump’s disdain for military service is his long-standing feud with Senator John McCain. Trump’s animosity toward McCain began during the 2016 election campaign when he made the now-infamous remark:
“He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
McCain, a Navy veteran who spent five years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, was revered for his courage and resilience. Trump’s attack on McCain was shocking to many Americans, but it reflected Trump’s belief that military service—especially suffering as a result of it—was a sign of weakness.
The feud continued even after McCain died in 2018. Trump reportedly blocked White House staff from issuing an official statement recognizing McCain’s legacy and became infuriated when the U.S. flag was lowered to half-staff in McCain’s honor. The Atlantic reported that Trump privately referred to McCain as a “fucking loser” and expressed disdain for the attention his death received. Trump’s treatment of McCain—both in life and death—further underscored his lack of respect for military service and sacrifice.
6. Discomfort with Injured and Disabled Veterans: “It Doesn’t Look Good for Me”
Trump’s discomfort around wounded veterans also revealed his superficial approach to military service. During a 2018 Bastille Day parade in France, Trump reportedly told John Kelly that he wanted to stage a similar military parade in Washington, but with one major caveat—he didn’t want any wounded or disabled veterans included.
“Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that,” Trump allegedly said about injured veterans, adding that their presence “doesn’t look good for me.”
This remark exposed Trump’s aversion to anything that could tarnish his public image, even if it meant sidelining those who had suffered in combat. For many, this was further evidence of his inability to empathize with the people he claimed to champion.
7. Desire for Autocratic Control: “I Need the Kind of Generals That Hitler Had”
Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Trump’s relationship with the military was his desire for authoritarian control. According to The Atlantic, Trump once expressed his frustration with U.S. military leaders, saying:
“I need the kind of generals that Hitler had.”
Trump admired the loyalty and obedience of Hitler’s generals despite their complicity in a regime that prioritized the leader’s agenda over moral or ethical concerns. Trump’s desire for this kind of unquestioning loyalty revealed his broader disdain for democratic principles, including the military’s oath to uphold the Constitution, not the president. This comment was emblematic of Trump’s autocratic impulses and his frequent clashes with top military officials who prioritized constitutional duty over personal loyalty.
8. The Vanessa Guillén Controversy: Empty Promises and Racist Remarks
In 2020, the murder of Army Private Vanessa Guillén at Fort Hood, Texas, shocked the nation. Trump invited her family to the White House, offering sympathy and even volunteering to help cover funeral expenses. However, during a later national security meeting, Trump reportedly became furious upon learning that Guillén’s funeral cost $60,000, allegedly saying:
“It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a fucking Mexican!”
Despite his earlier public offer to help, Trump never followed through on his promise. The episode highlighted his tendency to make grand gestures in public, only to reveal his true feelings behind closed doors—especially when those affected were not politically advantageous to him.
9. Tensions with Military Leadership: Conflict and Disrespect
Trump’s strained relationship with top military officials was well documented. He often clashed with generals and military leaders who resisted his desire for loyalty over competence. In 2017, during a notorious meeting at the Pentagon, Trump reportedly lashed out at the generals, saying:
“I wouldn’t go to war with you people. You’re a bunch of dopes and babies.”
This remark underscored Trump’s disdain for military leaders who were unwilling to follow his orders unquestioningly. His frequent firings of Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other top officials demonstrated his preference for loyalty over expertise, further eroding the trust between Trump and the military establishment.
Conclusion: The Paradox of Trump’s Military Legacy
Stark contradictions define Donald Trump’s relationship with the military and Veterans Affairs. While he publicly praised the military and often claimed to be their greatest advocate, his private comments and actions revealed a deep-seated disdain for those who serve. From his feud with John McCain to his derogatory remarks about fallen soldiers and injured veterans, Trump’s legacy is one of disrespect and hypocrisy.
Whether through his disparaging comments, his treatment of military leaders, or his mixed record on veterans’ healthcare, Trump’s actions consistently failed to live up to his rhetoric. As Trump once said: “Nobody has been more loyal to our great veterans than me.” But history tells a different story, one where words did not match reality, and his personal views were in stark contrast to the respect and honor expected of a commander-in-chief.
Call to Action: Stand Up for Veterans and Defend the Honor of Service
Now more than ever, we must reject leaders who exploit the military for political gain while privately demeaning their service. Veterans and the men and women in uniform deserve respect, not transactional loyalty or empty promises. They have dedicated their lives to defending the freedoms and values that make this nation great, often at great personal cost.
It’s time to demand leaders who honor this sacrifice with words and meaningful actions that reflect a genuine commitment to those who have served. We must stand up for veterans, protect the integrity of the military, and ensure that the men and women who put their lives on the line for this country are respected, cared for, and never treated as pawns in a political game.
Reject those who seek power for themselves over the well-being of those who protect us. Support veterans, support the military, and stand with the true defenders of democracy—those who serve with honor, courage, and selflessness. Together, we can build a future where the values of service, sacrifice, and respect are upheld by the leaders we choose to represent us.