Donald Trump criticised for ‘politicising’ Thanksgiving
Televised phone call to US service members used to attack migrants, judges and media
Donald Trump has used a traditional televised Thanksgiving conference call to US service members around the world to strike a “nakedly political tone”, a move that is a “striking break from the norms of presidential behaviour”, according to CNN.
The Thanksgiving Day phone call from the US president is traditionally used to bolster the morale of troops and other service members who are serving overseas during the holiday period.
However, Trump used the opportunity to discuss domestic politics and issues, including criticising judges who have ruled against his administration in the past, and efforts to prevent migrants from illegally entering the US.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Retired Rear Admiral John Kirby told CNN: “The President’s conduct on that call, the manner in which he politicised it, demonstrated an utter and complete disregard for what military service means.”
On two occasions during the televised call, “perplexed officers on the other end of the phone seemed to disagree with [Trump’s] conclusions” as he debated the benefits of steam versus electromagnetic catapults on aircraft carriers, and US trade practices, the Washington Post reports.
When asked by the media following the phone call what he was thankful for – a question traditionally used as a prompt for the president to thank US service members in harm’s way – Trump cited his own “great family”, and then himself.
“I made a tremendous difference in this country,” Trump said. “This country is so much stronger now than it was when I took office and you wouldn’t believe it and when you see it, we’ve gotten so much stronger people don’t even believe it.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
How secure are royal palaces?
The Explainer Royal family's safety is back in the spotlight after the latest security breach at Windsor
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magnificent Tudor castles and stately homes to visit this year
The Week Recommends The return of 'Wolf Hall' has sparked an uptick in visits to Britain's Tudor palaces
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
I'm a Celebrity 2024: 'utterly bereft of new ideas'?
Talking Point Coleen Rooney is the star attraction but latest iteration of reality show is a case of 'rinse and repeat'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The clown car cabinet
Opinion Even 'Little Marco' towers above his fellow nominees
By Mark Gimein Published
-
What Mike Huckabee means for US-Israel relations
In the Spotlight Some observers are worried that the conservative evangelical minister could be a destabilizing influence on an already volatile region
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Can Europe pick up the slack in Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Trump's election raises questions about what's next in the war
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
What does the G20 summit say about the new global order?
Today's Big Question Donald Trump's election ushers in era of 'transactional' geopolitics that threatens to undermine international consensus
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
What will Trump mean for the Middle East?
Talking Point President-elect's 'pro-Israel stance' could mask a more complex and unpredictable approach to the region
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
How will Elon Musk's alliance with Donald Trump pan out?
The Explainer The billionaire's alliance with Donald Trump is causing concern across liberal America
By The Week UK Published