New Delhi: President Donald Trump is getting a lot of flak for being almost an hour late to his scheduled speech at the Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration in Virginia on Sunday, September 5th. The wait was difficult for a lot of people, including thousands of sailors in uniform, who were waiting on the pier for the Commander-in-Chief.
Reports say that the ceremony, which took place at Naval Station Norfolk between two huge Navy ships, was supposed to start with Trump speaking at 3:30 pm but was pushed back until about 4:30 pm. Video that was shared on social media site X (previously Twitter) showed sailors milling around in quiet or talking to each other, which made the long and uncomfortable wait much worse.
Anger on Social Media Over Disrespect
The President’s lateness got a lot of people angry right away, and many said it was insulting to the service members. People online seemed to think that the delay showed a lack of respect for the soldiers.
One person on X said, “So rude—he only shows up on time for billionaires.”
Another person said the delay was planned: “This is part of the speech he’s sending a message.” Another user said, “Showing up on time is part of that basic respect.”
A lot of people compared Trump’s lack of military service to his behavior, with one person saying, “If he had served in the military, maybe he would be more respectful to them.” Others said that the President was exploiting service men as “political props.”
Late Arrival While Health Concerns Are Floating Around
The delay of over an hour happened while people were still worried and guessing about the President’s health. In the last few months, people have seen him with a lot of makeup on a wounded right hand, swollen ankles, and a noticeable limp while walking. All of these things have made people wonder how he is doing.
Even though he was late, the President thanked the Navy in a Truth Social post before leaving the White House for the base. He said, “It will be a big day with the Navy…” The US has by far the best military in the world. This will be a display of naval skill and power. Have fun watching! President DJT.
Trump’s wife, First Lady Melania Trump, and other important people were there with him at the celebration. These included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan, Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, and U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), who used to be a doctor at the White House. Trump later said that the gathering, which took place during a government shutdown, was like a “rally.”