'Peak Narcissism': Veterans Blast Trump for Hijacking Military Holiday for His Birthday

[babylonsister]

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/ailia-zehra/113925/peak-narcissism-veterans-blast-trump-for-hijacking-military-holiday-for-his-birthday

‘Peak Narcissism’: Veterans Blast Trump for Hijacking Military Holiday for His Birthday
by Ailia Zehra | May 24, 2025 - 5:18am

— from Alternet

snip//

Political analyst Steven Hassan wrote on the social platform X: "Trump is planning a $45 million military parade to celebrate his birthday, while simultaneously slashing funding for veterans who need basic healthcare. This isn’t about honoring the country. It’s about glorifying the leader."

"In cults, grand public displays are used to distract from harm, suppress dissent, and demand loyalty. It’s not new, and it’s not normal in America. Authoritarian leaders use spectacle to create emotional highs that drown out critical thinking. Tanks, flags, and firepower become symbols of unquestioned obedience, not democracy," he continued.

"We have $45 million to spend on Trump's military parade but somehow we have to cut spending on healthcare and education for working families. Self-serving hypocrisy from the Grifter-in-Chief," wrote the nonprofit advocacy group, Public Citizen on its X account.

Andrew Mercado, a military veteran, wrote: "As a U.S. Army veteran, I am 100% against this so-called 'parade.' The U.S. military exists to defend our Constitution and protect this country from enemies, both foreign and domestic, not to be paraded around like a prop for Trump."

"Let’s be honest, this parade isn’t about the Army’s 250th. It’s about Trump hijacking a moment of military honor to celebrate his own birthday. Using military service and veterans’ sacrifice as a backdrop for personal glorification is disgraceful. This isn’t patriotism, it’s peak narcissism," wrote another army veteran.

"Trumps $45 million military birthday parade is nothing more than a grandiose sense of self-importance. The media must stop enabling his narcissism," a user tweeted.

"How very North Korean," wrote another X account reacting to Trump's post.

[tanyev]

1. "The media must stop enabling his narcissism."

Well, good luck with that. At this point they are completely codependent on each other.

😒

[Gordcanuck]

9. The 250th is worthy

of recognition but not with this parade in your nation’s capital. You have much to be proud of and those who organized this tone-deaf event deserve their earned opprobrium.

[BoRaGard]

2. Ego-turd sandwich on baloney bread

and the republicons fall submissively to their knees,
open wide, and swallow the entire crapload.

Sad.

[CousinIT]

3. Well, they're right about that. n/t

[Justice matters.]

4. I bet none of the corporate media mouthpieces will mention his fake

corrupt bone-spurs deferments...

And his "suckers and losers" infamy...

[Orrex]

5. Why doesn't he just fucking die already?

[Buns_of_Fire]

6. For this festive occasion, I hope there are balloons.

What's a birthday parade for Dear Leader wirhout balloons?

[MLWR]

7. Everything stated here is 100% correct.

Many of us knew that well before many veterans and active military folks voted for the selfish, self-absorbed, avaricious, narcissistic, convicted felon. I can't, for the life of me, figure out what they saw in this creature who called them "suckers and losers," who said about those who made the ultimate sacrifice, "they knew what they signed up for," and who can't be bothered to visit their graves on holidays that commemorate their sacrifice.

[Ping Tung]

8. He was just speaking to his brothers in arms.....uh..cousins? Sisters? Uncles? Did he show them his medals?