During the recent Memorial Day weekend, former President Trump engaged with the West Point graduating class in a commencement address that raised eyebrows across the nation.
In his speech, Trump took a nostalgic turn, referencing his past stories about trophy wives and extravagant yachts, a tale reminiscent of his 2017 Boy Scouts address.
He made an unusual boast regarding his legal troubles, quipping, “I went through more investigations than Alphonse Capone, and now I’m talking to you as president, can you believe this?” This curious message of perseverance suggested to the graduates that crime might not be a barrier to high office.
With a nod to national security matters concerning Russia and China, Trump skipped the traditional handshake with graduates, announcing his priorities which he later seemed to fulfill on the golf course that afternoon.
In a Memorial Day address delivered at Arlington National Cemetery the following day, Trump sought to comfort those grieving the loss of loved ones.
He expressed a peculiar sense of gratitude that his second term had not occurred sooner, citing it allowed him the opportunity to “get the World Cup and the Olympics,” a sentiment likely received with mixed emotions by attendees.
Beyond Memorial Day, Trump has recently taken a keen interest in military traditions and holidays, declaring May 8 a day of victory to honor WWII and its accomplishments.
However, his declaration didn’t account for America’s role in the conflict against Japan, which did not end until August.
His plans included declaring November 11 as Victory in WWI Day, an idea that was quickly dismissed since it coincides with the existing Veterans Day observance, which veterans, understandably, cherish.
While engaging with the military, Trump has also made headlines with plans for a grand parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Army on June 14, aligning with his own 79th birthday.
The parade, as reported by the New York Times, will feature a large array of military machinery including 28 heavy M1A1 Abrams tanks and over 100 vehicles alongside a showcase of soldiers and aircraft, crafted to impress both allies and adversaries.
This display of military might comes at an estimated cost of $45 million, not including the reparations needed for potential damage to city streets.
Although the soldiers are not expected to belt out “Happy Birthday, Mr. President,” the spectacle will feature a paratrooper team, the Golden Knights, landing in front of Trump to present him with a flag, leaving open the possibility of a surprise.
There’s speculation that Trump’s fascination with military parades stems from witnessing France’s Bastille Day celebration in 2017, where he reportedly expressed his interests.
During his first term, he faced opposition from military leaders such as former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, who humorously wished to avoid the idea, stating he’d rather “swallow acid.”
Now, there’s a shift in attitude, with military brass seemingly accommodating Trump’s desires for grand events.
Trump’s attraction to military pomp isn’t a new chapter but rather interwoven with his past.
Sent to military school during his childhood due to behavioral issues, Trump benefited from privileges that elevated his social standing, including a commendable rank despite questionable credentials.
As recounted in the book “Lucky Loser” by Russ Buettner and Susanne Craig, his time at military school was marked by negligence, in which he often retreated from responsibilities and let others run the institution.
Eventually, he was removed from his post after failing to intervene when one of his charges acted aggressively towards a lower-classman, prompting his father’s intervention yet again.
Curiously, despite not qualifying traditionally, Donald Trump led a Columbus Day parade in 1963 as cadets lined Fifth Avenue, a decision enveloped in controversy among his peers.
It raises questions how someone lower in rank could receive such recognition, marking an early episode in Trump’s life that seems to foreshadow a lifetime of navigating privilege.
Trump’s record of avoiding service in the Vietnam War, allegedly aided by his father’s influence to secure a medical deferment for bone spurs, adds complexity to his claims of military spirit.
Years later, he infamously quantified his struggles with relationships during the 1990s as his “personal Vietnam,” showcasing a pattern of conflating privilege and self-promotion with valor.
As the former President prepares for the upcoming celebration on his birthday, one can’t help but reflect on how his life experiences inform his perspectives on military pride and national display – a cocktail of nostalgia, entitlement, and a desire for validation.
image source from：https://www.salon.com/2025/05/28/diverts-military-valor-to-himself/
