By Owen HOITOMT | Madison
When I first heard about President Trump referring to members of the military as “losers” and “suckers,” I thought it was old news. He was already on record calling John McCain a loser. Then I learned that this was just reported in The Atlantic and he was referring to military who fought and died in Europe and that he couldn’t be bothered to honor their memory by going to the cemetery. I was shocked that a President of the United States could make such an outrageous statement. And yet I now read articles quoting current and former military personnel who still fully support the President.
Fake news? The gist of the story was confirmed within a day by the AP, Washington Post, New York Times and even Fox News. News articles have looked at statements made by Trump over the past 50 years. He has consistently denigrated the military and military service. His niece reported in her book that Trump threatened to disinherit his son if he joined the military. The precise details of the Atlantic article may not be perfect, but the president’s words and actions as reported are entirely consistent with his opinion of individuals who serve in our armed forces.
A more nuanced form of support for President Trump comes from individuals who say that it matters less what he may say or believe, but what’s important is that he has pushed for more spending for the armed forces. It’s his actions that are important. Well, it’s difficult for me to buy this argument from an individual who prides himself for NOT paying taxes. We taxpayers also are suckers and losers. It’s easy to offer the military support with other people’s money. If it were his money, it would be a very different matter. There is a long history of Trump failing to pay workers who built his casinos and hotels. In reality, he supports the military about as much as he supported the masons and plumbers who built his casinos. In his eyes, they are all suckers and losers.
Note: Hoitomt was a 1967 graduate of Brookwood High School and was drafted and served in the Army from 1970–72.
