On June 6, 1944, 75 years ago today, Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy as part of Operation Overlord. Code-named Operation Neptune and often referred to as “D-Day,” it was the largest amphibious invasion in history. The operation began the liberation of German-occupied France from Nazi control and laid the foundation for Allied victory in World War II.
Today, as part of the 75th-anniversary commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France, Donald Trump delivered a well-written, and well-received, speech in front of a group of WWII veterans.
During his speech, Trump hailed “those who fell” saying “we honor all who fought right here in Normandy. They won back this ground for civilization.”
Yet this is the same man who, in describing the deadly 2017 neo-Nazi riot in Charlottesville, Virginia, said there were “very fine people on both sides.”
During his presidential campaign, Trump refused to condemn the Ku Klux Klan or disavow the endorsement of former Klansman David Duke.
So, yes, Joe Scarborough, gush over what a fine speech Trump delivered today (“the strongest speech of his presidency”) but let’s not forget those were words read from a piece of paper. They are unlikely heart-felt sentiments of our commander in chief.
To get a better idea of what was on Trump’s mind during the preparation for his big D-Day speech, listen to Dana Milbank of the Washington Post (For D-Day, Trump recalls the heroism of … Donald Trump).
On the night before Trump’s speech, Milbank writes about what was really on Trump’s mind … Bette Midler:
President Trump, staying at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in London, was up early Wednesday morning and already thinking deep and profound thoughts on the theme of the day: himself.
“Washed up psycho @BetteMidler was forced to apologize for a statement she attributed to me that turned out to be totally fabricated by her in order to make ‘your great president’ look really bad,” he tweeted.
It was 1:30 a.m.
So great, Trump delivered an appropriate speech. But let’s not forget what Trump is all about … himself , his money and his power.
Photo | carlos barria/reuters
