Jesse Ventura has a message for Barron Trump, and he put it in three words: “Enlist. Right now.”
The 74-year-old Navy SEAL and Vietnam veteran made the remark during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored on Tuesday, where he also said, “Do something your father didn’t have the courage to do. Do something your father didn’t have the patriotism to do.”
The context matters.
Trump authorized a war that has killed 13 Americans and injured hundreds more. His administration just announced 3,000 additional troops will be sent to the Middle East.
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When asked about U.S. military deaths, Trump said they are “the way it is.” Ventura kept it simple: “How can you send somebody else’s kids to a war if you won’t send your own? Trump wouldn’t know because he’s a draft-dodging coward. But a war is justified if you’re willing to send your kids.”
Trump avoided the draft five times, his last deferment coming from a bone spur diagnosis. The podiatrist’s daughters later said it was “a favor” to Trump’s father, Fred. Ventura even suggested a showdown between “the Vietnam veteran and the draft dodger.” When Morgan asked if he meant a fight, Ventura replied, “No, but if he wants it, he’s in the hall of fame. Let’s both get in the ring. Even though he’s never, ever had a match.”
Barron, 20, lives at the White House while attending NYU in D.C. To Ventura’s knowledge, no Trump in the last 100 years has done military service. None of Trump’s five children have served. Neither did his father. Even his grandfather, Friedrich, avoided military service in Germany and lost his citizenship over it.
Height came up. At 6 feet 9 inches, Barron technically exceeds limits for most branches. Ventura didn’t care. NBA Hall of Famer David Robinson is 7 feet tall and served in the Navy. As Commander-in-Chief, Trump could pull strings if Barron truly wanted to serve.
The public has noticed. “POTUS is chilling at his own country club whilst starting WWIII,” one X user wrote as #SendBarron trended. Matt Bernstein questioned why children of Republican officials aren’t serving alongside everyone else. Toby Morton even launched DraftBarronTrump.com the day strikes on Iran began.
Melania Trump has said she knows “nonstop” where Barron is. She keeps tabs but has not addressed the draft question. Reports suggest his mental state has been privately cited as a factor.
The U.S. hasn’t had a draft since 1973. Any new draft would require Congress and the president. Trump has that power. He has not used it.
Watch Ventura’s remarks below.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
