President Donald Trump accused the top brass of the Department of Defense of needlessly waging wars to boost the profits of defense contractors during a Labor Day press conference held at the White House.
“I'm not saying the military’s in love with me, the soldiers are, the top people in the Pentagon probably aren’t because they want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy," Trump argued.
Trump: "I'm not saying the military's in love with me. The soldiers are. The top people in the Pentagon probably ar… https://t.co/YVvXCHyigN— CBS News (@CBS News)1599501796.0
There was widespread shock over Trump's accusation, which came as he was attempting to deny reports he has contempt for the United States military.
"In an unprecedented public attack by a sitting US president on the leadership of the US military, President Trump has accused US military leaders of seeking to start wars to boost the profits of defense contractors," CNN national security reporter Ryan Browne tweeted.
"For what it’s worth, President Trump has appointed all the top level people at the Pentagon, which includes both uniformed military officers and civilian personnel," Browne noted.
Here's what others were saying about Trump's comments:
Wait, so after insisting he'd never insult military veterans, Trump goes on live television and accuses military le… https://t.co/8XK7ox8yPM— Josh Campbell (@Josh Campbell)1599506623.0
Everyone is entitled to their opinion about the US military. But this comes during 9-11 commemoration here at Penta… https://t.co/PxlsuYXDSw— Barbara Starr (@Barbara Starr)1599505098.0
The White House is aware that they don't have a bench of top military officials willing to defend the president. Bu… https://t.co/8K3veBceMN— Maggie Haberman (@Maggie Haberman)1599504081.0
Perhaps @EsperDoD should defend the honor of those with whom he serves at the Pentagon? He has little to lose, sinc… https://t.co/obxyBWuqyq— Bill Kristol (@Bill Kristol)1599501815.0
What's also notable about Trump now railing against the "military industrial complex" is that he spent most of his… https://t.co/DpqNfSvApw— Abby D. Phillip (@Abby D. Phillip)1599504568.0
This is basically confirmation of the Atlantic’s story about Trump calling our troops suckers and losers. Trump is… https://t.co/HtYUw5aQrh— John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️🌈 (@John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️🌈)1599504362.0
He’s Commander-in-Chief. He’s shitting on his own military leaders and trying to divide the ranks. This is insane.… https://t.co/ConxojetHo— Fred Wellman (@Fred Wellman)1599508504.0
I know you do not believe facts matter. But if you are really opposed to companies that make bombs and planes makin… https://t.co/CC8uyivlaQ— Ro Khanna (@Ro Khanna)1599511448.0
Pretty unusual to see a President accusing his own appointees and senior military in the Pentagon of being war prof… https://t.co/8pBv226WWS— Tom Nichols (@Tom Nichols)1599506801.0
""We have purchased the finest planes, missiles, rockets, ships, and every other form of military equipment — all m… https://t.co/Sgf48z0ZcT— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@Edward-Isaac Dovere)1599502498.0
