Staff Reports
In a classic case of media theatrics, CNN’s Jim Acosta decided to stir the pot on “Newsroom” by questioning whether former President Donald Trump has the right to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery. Acosta thinks it’s worth asking if Trump, who recently commemorated the tragic anniversary of the Abbey Gate attack that claimed the lives of 13 brave service members during the Afghanistan withdrawal, should be seen at such a solemn place. Clearly, Acosta is trying to paint Trump as a divisive figure, rather than focusing on the respectful act of honoring fallen heroes.
Acosta brought up a few dubious claims, including an alleged remark from Trump’s former chief of staff about soldiers being “suckers” and “losers.” This speculative gossip hardly seems relevant when honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Instead of respecting the day, Acosta shifted the conversation to Trump’s supposed agenda, implying that the former president’s presence is more about politics than patriotism. It’s almost as if Acosta forgets that honoring service members should transcend political affiliation, yet here he is, ready to box Trump into a corner in the name of journalistic integrity—or whatever it is CNN claims to uphold these days.
@Acosta I challenge you to question a panel of 20 combat veterans and ask if they believe the “suckers and losers” story is real.
You won’t do it
CNN’s Acosta Questions if Trump Is ‘Politicizing’ Soldiers Deaths by Visiting Arlington https://t.co/7hD2VIqKU6
— 🇺🇸 Vets Talkin 🇺🇸 (@VetsTalkin) August 26, 2024
Of course, Representative Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, chimed in to mourn the loss of the 13 service members, while cleverly trying to pivot the narrative towards President Biden’s leadership. Crow highlighted the deaths during the entire two-decades-long conflict and framed the withdrawal as a noble outcome. It’s hard to ignore the irony here: a party that spent years criticizing withdrawal plans is now celebrating Biden for pulling out. So, is Biden’s handling of the situation acceptable because it comes from a Democrat? It appears that the party line holds more weight than the lives lost.
The whole debacle seems to rest on the trivialization of mourning for political gain. Acosta’s attempt to make Trump appear callous only underscores the desperation from some corners of the media to keep the “Trump bad, Biden good” narrative alive, even when discussing sensitive and impactful moments like the memory of military service members. It raises questions about sincerity in grief and respect for those who served, as the media continues its war on Trump, even in the hallowed halls of Arlington.
In the end, the focus should be where it belongs: on honoring those who answered the call of duty. It is bewildering to see how some would rather politicize a tragedy than simply allow a moment of remembrance to stand on its own. Yet, that seems to be par for the course these days, as political opportunism routinely overshadows the respect deserving of fallen heroes.
