‘Unprecedented public attack’: Widespread shock as Trump blasts the Pentagon — from the White House

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.

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: