Trump Goads Fort Bragg Troops Into Booing Media, Officials

During a speech at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, former President Donald Trump urged military personnel and their families to boo the press and political rivals, drawing significant criticism for politicizing the armed forces. Trump also celebrated the restoration of the base's name from Fort Liberty back to Fort Bragg, referencing Confederate history and drawing further applause when mentioning figures like Robert E. Lee. Observers, including veterans, journalists, and political commentators, expressed deep concern on social media, framing the event as a dangerous departure from the military's tradition of nonpartisanship and a troubling escalation in civil-military relations. Critics warned that encouraging uniformed service members to engage in overtly partisan displays undermines public trust in the military and risks long-term harm to civil-military norms. The incident sparked a broader debate about the appropriate boundaries between political leaders and the armed forces, with many alarmed at both Trump's rhetoric and the crowd's response.