Trump’s Wounded Warriors Photo Sparks Fiery Debate Online

President Donald J. Trump recently shared a heartfelt “thank you” to the many wounded veterans welcomed into the Oval Office. He called them “American heroes.” The accompanying post said that these soldiers’ sacrifice represents “the heart of this nation.” The Internet? Oh yes, it had thoughts.
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The post immediately became a battleground of opinions, some supporting the president and others just as vigorously opposing him. Commenters accused him of using these veterans for political gains while others pointed to this gesture as a genuine acknowledgment of gratitude; the divide was deep.

Next up to comment was @johnporter17, who quickly veered away from the discussion to resurrect historical controversies concerning President Trump’s past: “Remember when he decided to go golfing instead of honoring and receiving our dead soldiers just a few weeks ago?” Ouch. That set the stage pretty much for the following replies.

Then we had @pammy_mc, utterly gushing, “Love having a president that supports our military & veterans!” This ended up being a comment that got bashed in the replies. “@davidhawkins5” stated, “Cares so much he called them suckers and losers.” Another user referred to Trump as “Captain bone spurs, the draft dodger.” Yikes.

When @roxannesdogranch mentioned appreciation for Trump because he “loves the military,” it became open season for a series of comments about all the reasons he supposedly disrespected veterans, including effing with John McCain about POW status. One said, “He draft dodged. Then he called those who died in war losers and suckers.” Evidence was in.

On the other hand, @hoffman_hofflgnd stated succinctly: “Cuts resources from the VA, then shakes the hands of wounded warriors. Sick.” Another commented, “These f—ing chumps are part of the problem,” presumably referring to the Veterans posing for the photo. Harsh.

From here, the conversation exploded when @ivan_b9393 and @natali1_kn jumped in and began insisting on Ukraine, with natali1_kn saying Trump needed to visit the war-torn country to “feel how much Russia wants peace.” The subject drifted to an entirely different argument about geopolitical issues showing that no online discussion is truly on topic.

Some users made stray appeals to return to the veterans, with @pa_patriot_sweets stating the simple truism, “We owe our Veterans everything.” Wrong. He just provided fodder to his singular critics who think otherwise about Trump and members of the armed forces.

Then came, on an equally nuclear note, @jonathan.wr1 saying: “Vets should be voting against republicans. They couldn’t give a shit that they give their life away.” That predictably set off a new firestorm in replies cleaved neatly along partisan lines.

There was much movement through united anger, sarcasm, patriotism, and trolling. Some heartwarming; most trolling. One thing was clear: Trump and veterans do seem to give license to get more animated.
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The post was ostensibly in honor of servicemen, but ended in yet another culture war skirmish concerning all-things-American. Sounds about right for the Internet.