Trump's Fort Bragg Speech Sparks Military Outcry

President Donald Trump's speech at Fort Bragg to mark the US Army's 250th anniversary became controversial after internal military communications revealed that soldiers standing behind him were selected based on physical fitness and political loyalty, with explicit instructions of 'no fat soldiers' and options for dissenters to be replaced. The event included partisan attacks on Democratic leaders and encouraged soldiers to cheer or boo, actions seen as violating military neutrality. The screening process and sale of pro-Trump merchandise on base property drew widespread criticism from military officials and observers, who warned of lasting reputational damage to the Army. Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed these concerns, though some within the military called for lessons to be learned to avoid similar episodes. The controversy did not include any concurrent military deployments to Los Angeles as previously reported.