Donald Trump’s Distasteful Thumbs-up and Wide Grin at Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Have Netizens Fuming
Republican Presidential Candidate for the November 2024 US Presidential polls Donald Trump finds himself in hot waters once again after he was seen giving a thumbs-up and smiling while posing for photos at Arlington National Cemetery.
The controversial gestures which were made at the graves of soldiers who were killed during the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan have evoked a strong reaction from netizens with many expressing shock and disgust at Donald Trump’s actions.
Trump was visiting Virginia to lay a wreath and pay respects to the 13 American soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty at the Kabul Airport’s Abbey Gate during the chaotic Afghan withdrawal.
It was the third anniversary of the martyrdom of the 13 American servicemen.
Donald Trump’s Inappropriate Thumbs-up and Grin at Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Sparks Outrage
Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican congressman wrote on his X and criticized Trump’s actions.
“Smiling thumbs up at the grave is unusual to say the least.”
Adam who was a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard added
“Never mind that Trump negotiated the ‘deal’ and is the reason we left,”
Trump was facing criticism for ‘golfing’ and ‘sulking’ throughout the day, was trying to make amends and travelled to Virginia to lay a wreath commemorating the third anniversary of the deaths of 13 American soldiers.
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However, his gesture evoked mixed reactions.
On one hand, MAGA supporters hailed it as a gesture of showing solidarity with the soldiers’ families, but critics said that the act was a typical move in his campaign strategy rather than a genuine tribute.
Trump’s action evoked a fierce response on the internet.
One user dubbed Donald Trump’s actions as sick.
“Sick!!! Trump giving a thumbs up and smiling while standing alongside our fallen heroes,”
Another user commented on the photograph,
“The image of Donald Trump grinning in front of a war grave with his thumb up is so on brand,” Still another wrote,
“Donald’s internal monologue when he posed for that pic: “Wow… I can’t believe I’m still getting away with this… From ‘suckers and losers,’ to a thumbs-up at Arlington for my third campaign. Man, they really are suckers,”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox wrote on X on Monday,
“There is no greater sacrifice than giving one’s life in defence of our country,”
Sharing a picture from the event, Cox added,
“It was my solemn privilege to stand alongside the family of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover at Arlington National Cemetery today as we paid tribute to his legacy and the 12 others who lost their lives three years ago at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan.”
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