Thread by @davidfrum

Some Trump defenders try to justify Trump's slurs against the military by comparing them to Eisenhower farewell address, the military-industrial complex speech. Anyone who says that is counting on you - not to read the speech. Here it is. avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/e…

As you'll see if you do read Eisenhower's speech, at the core of the speech is a plea by Eisenhower to control the defense budget.

And indeed, Eisenhower - who inherited the Korean War - did reduce defense spending over his eight years by some 27%.

In this respect, Trump is no Eisenhower. Over Trump's four years in office, he boosted defense spending from just over $600 bn to just over $700 bn.

Eisenhower was particularly concerned that military spending would overwhelm the private economy - and push the US into debt.

Even before COVID, Trump had put the US on the path to trillion-dollar deficits forever.

Eisenhower worried that an over-large defense sector could threaten American democracy - and most especially the freedom of thought of the nation's scholars.

Trump- on *same day* as he slurred the military- announced plans to use federal $ to dictate school history curricula

Eisenhower's farewell address urged the US to use power to build a global community of equality and respect - the very opposite of Trump's predation upon allies and partners.

But here's the biggest difference.

Eisenhower cared intensely about democracy and law.

Trump wants a military that acts as his own personal goon squad.

Remember this from 2019? breitbart.com/politics/2019/…

Trump's present anger against the military senior command arises from his outraged discovery that the US military is loyal to the US government, to the US constitution - and not to Donald John Trump personally.

That's all this is about. Trump wants a military that will shoot protesters to clear the streets for his photo ops.

The military high command remember that they swore their oath to the Constitution, not to Trump.

Trump hates them for it.

Don't invoke the legacy of Dwight Eisenhower to justify Trump's outrage that the military he heads is loyal to something bigger than himself.

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