Donald Trump manages to embarrass himself and the country at every turn, but on Monday, he managed to even be an embarrassment at the only funeral he’s actually been invited to attend.
Salute fail? Donald Trump is roasted for unusual gesture during George H.W. Bush tribute https://t.co/xM5FZPU5XG pic.twitter.com/vcuM5kxyg0
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) December 4, 2018
In the very few moments Trump spent in the Capitol building where the body of President George H.W. Bush, who served during WWII, lies in state, the current president attempted to salute him. Not only did Twitter find this incredibly disrespectful, he couldn’t even manage to perform a proper salute.
Newsweek reports that:
‘The rules around saluting are complex, but the right to salute is widely considered to be earned by military personnel. As Trump has not served in the military, some saw it as improper for the President to salute Bush, particularly as he served in the Second World War—making him the last U.S. president to serve in active combat.’
Sad when a current president has to sneak in under the cover of darkness to pay what he stated respect for a former president, When Trump has done nothing but disrespect the entire Bush family for years. Disgraceful President (Bone spurs) is allowed to salute anyone or anything
— Anthony West (@Cowpoke777) December 4, 2018
A salute has a specific requirement for the placement of the hand. Even military members and their spouses were horrified at photos and video of Trump attempting a salute to a war hero.
‘Trump’s saluting technique itself was also criticized. When a salute is performed, the fingers must be kept straight with the thumb in line. Footage from the memorial shows the President’s thumb was slightly bent.’
As a former vet and widow of a vet I nearly vomited seeing #CadetBoneSpurs salute Bush 41’s casket. Yes he’s Commander-in-Chief but…just WRONG. Missed the eulogy, were there 2 minutes…then left.
My dad was a WWII vet as was Bush 41. NO ONE in Trump’s family ever served.— Polly Anne (@PollyAn34802188) December 4, 2018
Until this moment, the most famous Trump salute was to a member of the North Korean military. It’s difficult to imagine Pres. Bush and a member of Kim Jong Un’s military deserving the same gesture of respect.
‘The disapproval of Trump’s gesture comes after he made the highly unusual decision to return a salute to a member of the North Korean military during a summit held in Singapore in June.Â
‘Footage released by North Korea’s state media shows Trump gesturing to a general. Military rules dictate a salute is reserved for personnel of friendly foreign nations, CNN reported at the time. However, a president is not expected to return a salute—particularly to an official from a nation with which the U.S. has had an uneasy relationship.’
George H.W. Bush enlisted in the Navy, risking his life defending America from fascists & Nazis.
Trump had bone spurs.
For a draft-dodger like Trump to salute a hero like Bush is a bigger disgrace & offense to veterans than any athlete kneeling for the anthem could ever be. pic.twitter.com/BRALlw36a8
— Dave Weaver? (@daveweaver1) December 4, 2018
It isn’t just that Trump doesn’t seem to know much about how to be a U.S. president; it’s apparent that he doesn’t seem to know how to do much of anything.
Featured image screenshot via YouTube
