In a controversial appearance at the U.S. Army base Fort Bragg on Tuesday, President Donald Trump addressed a crowd of soldiers, including National Guard troops recently deployed to California. During the speech, Trump encouraged the troops to boo both the media and civilian protesters, a moment that has since triggered widespread alarm and backlash across social and political circles.
Many who viewed footage of the event online responded with intense concern. Commentators described it as a disturbing display of political manipulation involving the military — a breach of long-standing traditions of apolitical military conduct.
“Pondering Politics” host Jessiah Eberlan posted, “Of all the insane s–t we’ve seen from Trump, this is among the most viscerally disturbing. US troops celebrating the domestic deployment of Marines and booing the media? Big f—-ing yikes!” Political analysts and legal professionals echoed this concern.
Marco Frieri, a Politico analyst, asked, “Why the hell are troops booing the media? This is a dangerous politicization of the armed forces.” Another user on X shared, “All week I’ve had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. This clip, in particular, is so dark. Like we’re in a very scary place rn.”
One person criticized the behavior of the service members in the crowd, stating, “It’s genuinely f—ing appalling that he goads members of the military into booing their Commander in Chief… Staggering lack of professionalism from the troops and flagrant disrespect of our country and the oaths they swore.”
X user Stefanie Hane added a biting remark, suggesting Trump is “still bugged by tons of brave news crews covering bone spurs.” Don Dechert, a litigator, called the moment “truly terrifying,” noting the act of soldiers booing is line crossing and transgressive in a way I cannot quite put to words.”
For ethicist Melissa Vanden Bout, who grew up in a military family, the moment was unthinkable. “Trying to imagine a president or any dignitary… targeting a part of our country and named electeds for derision like this, and service members obliging them… The military as backup singers for a would-be king.”
Matthew Stiegler, an appellate lawyer, pointed out, “He’s soiling a core tenet of US military culture,” predicting potential backlash from within the armed forces. Amid the uproar, Trump also made a historical gaffe during the same speech, claiming the U.S. fought Japan in World War I.
“Recently, other countries celebrated the victory of World War I… And we’re the ones that won the war. Without us, you’d all be speaking German right now. Maybe a little Japanese thrown in,” he said. “President Big Mac thinks we fought the Japanese in World War I,” quipped national security lawyer Bradley P. Moss. The fallout from Trump’s remarks continues to unfold, raising concerns about the politicization of the military and the boundaries of presidential influence over the armed forces.