There is a time for celebration. And then there is Memorial Day. A day for silence. A day for sorrow. A day to remember the sacrifice. You do not talk about parades and power when you are standing over graves. But Donald Trump did just that.
Standing at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, surrounded by the families of fallen soldiers, Trump told the crowd he “had everything.” Not peace. Not humility. Not reflection. Everything.
“Can you imagine I missed that four years?” he said, grinning. “And now look what I have I have everything – amazing the way things work out.”
Trump at Arlington National Cemetery:
“We have the World Cup and we have the Olympics. Can you imagine, I missed that four years and now look what I have, I have everything. Amazing the way things work out. God did that”
What a disgrace pic.twitter.com/PRYqlpOfkA
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 26, 2025
He was talking about hosting the Olympics, the World Cup, and his military parade on June 14—which, by the way, also happens to be his birthday.
This wasn’t random. It didn’t come out of nowhere. It wasn’t just a slip of the tongue. This is what Trump does. Again and again, he mixes personal pride with national pain. He turns days of mourning into moments of self-promotion.
And this time, it hit even harder. It wasn’t just awkward. It felt cruel. Gold Star families showed up to honor their loved ones. Instead, they had to sit through a speech about Trump’s big plans and bright future
Some lost sons or daughters. Others lost mothers or fathers. Some were there to remember Navy officer Shannon Kent, who died in Syria. She left behind two young sons. Trump looked at those boys and said, “Your mom was a hero. She loved her boys.” Then, almost right after, he began talking about the World Cup.
This is what happens when ego drowns empathy.
Earlier that same day, Trump posted a message online. It said:
“Happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country.”
Trump used the spotlight to attack his enemies. He smiled. He waved. He fist-pumped to the tune of “Hail to the Chief.” Once again, it was not about the fallen. It was about him.
And this was not the first time.
In 2018, Trump skipped visiting a World War One cemetery in France because of rain. He allegedly called fallen soldiers “losers” and “suckers.” He denied saying it. However, several sources confirmed the story with The Atlantic and The Associated Press.
And we all remember when he mocked John McCain. “He’s not a war hero,” Trump said. “I like people who weren’t captured.”
The truth is simple. Trump does not do solemnly. He does spectacle.
Featured image via Screengrab
