Donald Trump made headlines with his comments about “trophy wives” during his commencement address to West Point graduates, but a lawyer is highlighting Trump’s alleged lack of presidential etiquette at the event.
Wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat, Trump delivered what strategist and lawyer Aaron Parnas called a “remarkably unconventional” academic address.
“Trump delivered a remarkably unconventional commencement address today to the graduating class of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, combining political rhetoric, off-the-cuff remarks, and personal anecdotes in a speech that markedly departed from the traditional tone of such occasions,” Parnas wrote Saturday.
Parnas criticized Trump’s hat, calling it “a blatant departure from normal presidential etiquette.”
In a further comment on Trump’s “trophy wives” remark, Parnas added: “This anecdote paved the way for a speech that ranged from political commentary to rambling musings.”
Parnas also highlighted an incident that “surprised” viewers.
He wrote: “In a moment that surprised observers, Trump questioned the logic of stealth aircraft technology, pondering aloud: ‘The whole stealth thing, I wonder. We shape the wing this way, they don’t see it, but the other way, they do?’ I’m not entirely sure.”
The lawyer concluded his Substack post by commenting on the president’s “excessively political” action.
“While many of his supporters welcomed the speech, it drew criticism from some observers who deemed it too political for a military graduation ceremony,” he wrote in the post. “Others praised the president’s unconventional style and his emphasis on military pride and national strength.” “The speech will undoubtedly fuel debate about the mingling of politics and military tradition, a topic that could make headlines well beyond the parade grounds at West Point.”