President Donald Trump’s Memorial Day message landed like a thud Monday, with criticism flying that instead of honoring those who died in our wars, he made it all about himself.
“Happy Memorial Day! Those who died for our great country would be very happy and proud at how well our country is doing today. Best economy in decades, lowest unemployment numbers for Blacks and Hispanics EVER (& women in 18years), rebuilding our Military and so much more. Nice!” the president tweeted Monday morning.
Happy Memorial Day! Those who died for our great country would be very happy and proud at how well our country is doing today. Best economy in decades, lowest unemployment numbers for Blacks and Hispanics EVER (& women in 18years), rebuilding our Military and so much more. Nice!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2018
Reaction was swift, with his boasting of his administration’s accomplishments on a day of remembrance called everything from “inappropriate” to “appalling” to “disgusting.”
This is the most inappropriate #MemorialDay comment that a @POTUS has ever made. Self-promotion on a day to remember the fallen, and wishing those remembering their deceased loved ones a “happy” holiday is appalling. #CadetBoneSpurs pic.twitter.com/kRse4dnwiu
— VoteVets (@votevets) May 28, 2018
Retired Gen. Michael Hayden — and former CIA and National Security Agency chief — put it a little more succinctly:
— Gen Michael Hayden (@GenMhayden) May 28, 2018
Condemnation of his tweet poured in.
My advice, FWIW: If you happen to have encountered this tweet, as I did–put it out of mind. There are so many appropriate expressions of respect and appreciation on this Memorial Day that deserve your attention, and that reflect well on the country. Attend to them. Ignore Trump. https://t.co/w5O7Ik0VUD
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) May 28, 2018
On Memorial Day, the president takes some time to remember that dead soldiers are grateful to him. https://t.co/DZaGWlkm7q
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) May 28, 2018
Memorial day isn’t about the economy, and is especially not about you. Poor form, Mr. President. https://t.co/tyhtGcOqb2
— Andrew Donaldson (@four4thefire) May 28, 2018
He seriously just made Memorial Day about himself. “Your father died a horrible, useless death in Vietnam, but check out these unemployment numbers. Nice!” https://t.co/w9MABIHjpd
— The Rude Pundit (@rudepundit) May 28, 2018
This is perhaps the most disgusting Trump tweet ever.
Memorial Day is a solemn day to reflect on the memories of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom, liberty & justice for all.
It’s NOT a “Happy” day nor is it a day to tout your draft dodging “bone spurs” self. https://t.co/5dNub5xqu8— Nate Bell (@NateBell4AR) May 28, 2018
On #MemorialDay, Trump is thinking about the imaginary approval rating of dead soldiers.
Well, at least he did not say “I like soldiers who weren’t killed”…so improvement I guess. https://t.co/HzxuzTvf4X
– Nunca Trump (@NeverTrumpTexan) May 28, 2018
A few hours after Trump’s ill-conceived tweet, he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, calling their love of country “more deep and more pure than most will ever know.”
“They marched into hell so that America could know the blessings of peace. They died so that freedom could live,” Trump said.
“Our fallen heroes have not only written our history they have shaped our destiny. They saved the lives of the men and women with whom they served. They cared for their families more than anything in the world, they loved their families. They inspired their communities.”