Let's talk about Trump wearing campaign merch to a dignified transfer....

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Belle of the Ranch 4 min 7 chapters transcribed

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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.

What is the main topic discussed in this episode?

0:01

Well, howdy there, Internet people, it's Belle again.

Why did Trump wear campaign merch to a dignified transfer?

0:06

So today, we're going to talk about Trump wearing campaign merch to a dignified transfer. And what comes as no surprise to anybody who's even remotely familiar with the list of ways Trump has shown little regard for the military. Trump wound up turning a dignified transfer into yet another example of how the president either doesn't understand or doesn't care about basic protocol. Trump wore a white hat, campaign merchandise no less, to a dignified transfer. This caused a flood of backlash and some of the most awkward deflections I've ever seen from the Republican Party.

What is the significance of a dignified transfer in military protocol?

0:50

For those fortunate enough to not know what a dignified transfer is, it's a military procedure at Dover Air Force Base, in which the remains of KIAs are taken off their flight home. It's a solemn occasion, and it's not a public ceremony. As one might expect, when a person attends, there are certain customs they're expected to follow. As with most funeral events, civilian men are expected to wear a suit in dark colors, like black, navy, or charcoal. Civilians are also expected to remove any non-religious headgear, with unique exceptions for some veteran service organizations in some situations.

What customs are expected during a dignified transfer ceremony?

1:35

Everyone is expected to avoid wearing anything flashy. The focus isn't supposed to be on you. So what did Trump do? He wore a white hat with bright gold lettering.

How did the public react to Trump's behavior at the dignified transfer?

1:46

Oh, it's also campaign merch that he's hawking on his site. You too can get a gaudy white and gold hat for like 50 bucks. The backlash was swift, fierce, and bipartisan. Michael Steele, former chair of the RNC, said, This fool has absolutely no sense of dignity or appreciation for the moment. It is called the dignified transfer for a reason.

What are the historical precedents for presidential attendance at dignified transfers?

2:12

Take your damn hat off. Look, I could give quotes from prominent people trashing him for hours, but I figure the former Republican chair is enough. The attempt by MAGA to defend Trump's inappropriate behavior just kept running into roadblocks. The military doesn't need to remove their headgear. Trump is not military. Commander-in-Chief is not an actual rank. It's a civilian position. If he was military, he would need to be in dress. The president is a civilian, always. Well, at least Trump showed up.

Why might Trump have attended the dignified transfer despite past controversies?

2:51

Democrats would never do that. It's widely believed that Carter was the first president to attend a dignified transfer when he showed for the return of those lost in a hostage rescue attempt. George H.W. Bush banned coverage of the events. That ban stayed in place until Obama reversed course and attended a dignified transfer. Democrats caught a private moment and they're trying to exploit it. It's not a public event, and the decision on whether coverage is allowed is at the discretion of the families. At least it's supposed to be. Trump's attendance is what turned it into a spectacle. Then we got this question. Belle, why do presidents go to these things? Has there ever been one that didn't muck it up?

3:45

Nothing like what Trump just did, but they all messed it up somehow. That's actually not true. Neither Carter nor Reagan messed it up. For those who don't know, they were both veterans. Why did Trump go? He was probably trying to recover from allegedly using the dead at Arlington as props during his campaign, from calling troops losers and suckers, from insulting troops who were in support arms of the military, and from the current habit of waving off U.S. deaths. It seems like any attempt to rehabilitate that perception failed miserably. Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.

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