http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/ailia-zehra/113925/peak-narcissism-veterans-blast-trump-for-hijacking-military-holiday-for-his-birthday
'Peak Narcissism': Veterans Blast Trump for Hijacking Military Holiday for His Birthday
by Ailia Zehra | May 24, 2025 - 5:18am
-- from Alternet
snip//
Political analyst Steven Hassan wrote on the social platform X: "Trump is planning a $45 million military parade to celebrate his birthday, while simultaneously slashing funding for veterans who need basic healthcare. This isn't about honoring the country. It's about glorifying the leader."
"In cults, grand public displays are used to distract from harm, suppress dissent, and demand loyalty. It's not new, and it's not normal in America. Authoritarian leaders use spectacle to create emotional highs that drown out critical thinking. Tanks, flags, and firepower become symbols of unquestioned obedience, not democracy," he continued.
"We have $45 million to spend on Trump's military parade but somehow we have to cut spending on healthcare and education for working families. Self-serving hypocrisy from the Grifter-in-Chief," wrote the nonprofit advocacy group, Public Citizen on its X account.
Andrew Mercado, a military veteran, wrote: "As a U.S. Army veteran, I am 100% against this so-called 'parade.' The U.S. military exists to defend our Constitution and protect this country from enemies, both foreign and domestic, not to be paraded around like a prop for Trump."
"Let's be honest, this parade isn't about the Army's 250th. It's about Trump hijacking a moment of military honor to celebrate his own birthday. Using military service and veterans' sacrifice as a backdrop for personal glorification is disgraceful. This isn't patriotism, it's peak narcissism," wrote another army veteran.
"Trumps $45 million military birthday parade is nothing more than a grandiose sense of self-importance. The media must stop enabling his narcissism," a user tweeted.
"How very North Korean," wrote another X account reacting to Trump's post.