Donald Trump is the president-elect after winning the 2024 Presidential Election. He will take over as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the United States Military next month. But for now, he is still technically a civilian, which led to some criticism when he decided to salute during the playing of the national anthem this week.
During Saturday’s college football rivalry showdown between Army and Navy, Donald Trump attended the game and sparked a little bit of controversy during the playing of the National Anthem.
While most people held their hands over their hearts for the playing of the national anthem, Donald Trump chose to hold his hand in salute, instead.
Donald Trump salutes during the national anthem. Joe Biden didn’t go for the past four years. Great to have the president back at Army-Navy. pic.twitter.com/eJ0RnPSGHe
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 14, 2024
Saluting is generally reserved for those in uniform or active-duty service members. Civilians who did not serve in the military are typically expected to place their hand over their heart during the national anthem rather than salute. While there’s no rule or law preventing civilians from saluting, it’s generally seen as inappropriate and disrespectful.
Given that Trump did not serve in the military and is not currently the Commander-in-Chief, he technically should not be saluting during the national anthem. In fact, as many people pointed out on social media, doing so is actually disrespectful to actual veterans.
“The date is 12/14/2024, Trump is President-elect… He is a civilian; his hand should be over his heart, not a salute. WE HAVE a current Commander-in-Chief who properly places his hand over his heart, unlike this fraud!” one person wrote on X.
“He’s not supposed to salute, he’s not in uniform. They teach seven year olds about this in Scouts,” another person added.
“Reason #2746 why Trump is a [freaking] disrespectful moron,” someone else said.
“It’s actually pretty amazing how many people who pretend to be ‘patriots’ don’t actually know these types of things. Like when they bring out the color guard for the anthem during sporting events and you’re supposed to remain standing until the flag is off the ice/field,” another person wrote.
“He isn’t POTUS now or former military. It’s in the grandstanding category,” someone else said.
“Only veterans are authorized to salute while in civilian clothes during the playing of the National Anthem,” another person pointed out.
Obviously, these are just normal, everyday people giving their opinions, but it’s clear that not everyone was happy with Trump
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