Dear leader: Troops at Trump’s Fort Bragg rally were pre-screened for looks, loyalty… ‘This was shameful’

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President Trump’s Fort Bragg speech drew fire for blurring the military-political line. “This was shameful,” a commander said, as soldiers were allegedly screened for loyalty and looks.

President Donald Trump’s rally-style speech at Fort Bragg during the Army’s 250th birthday week has sparked outrage over the politicization of military personnel. Troops were reportedly screened based on loyalty and appearance, with one unit-level message stating “no fat soldiers.”

In front of carefully selected soldiers, Trump attacked Democrats, urged troops to boo California officials, and declared, “We will liberate Los Angeles,” drawing applause and laughter from uniformed personnel — a breach of Pentagon rules against partisan conduct.

A commander told Military.com, “This was shameful. I hope maybe we can learn from it long term.”

A vendor also sold pro-Trump merchandise on base, raising further concerns.

Despite questions to military leadership, officials declined to comment on potential disciplinary action or policy breaches.

Experts warned this event could normalize political interference in the military. “It shows… the military’s professional ethics could fail,” said civil-military relations scholar Risa Brooks.

Critics argue the silence from defense leadership is a missed opportunity to uphold neutrality.

READ MORE AT MILITARY

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