In November 2018, Donald Trump, who was the president of the US at that time, was scheduled to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris. The cemetery is the final resting place of 2,289 war heroes, mainly the soldiers who fell during the Battle of Belleau Wood in World War I. However, Trump did not attend the event, citing poor weather.
The decision was criticized heavily, stating that the President had disrespected the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifices. Many world leaders who were in France for the World War I Centenary Commemorations were able to attend similar ceremonies despite the rainy weather, which increased the scrutiny.
Trump, on the other hand, stated that he cancelled his visit due to the poor visibility for the helicopter that would have transported him to the site. The back-up plan, a 90-minute drive, was deemed to cause too much disruption to the city and its people due to the last-minute nature of the change.
In 2020, an article by The Atlantic quoted anonymous sources saying that Trump described the American war dead as “losers” and “suckers”, sparking a new wave of controversy. However, Trump, as well as some former staff members, vehemently denied these claims.
The situation resulted in continued debate about respect for the military in the context of presidential duties, and it remains a controversial topic due to the differing viewpoints and unclear circumstances of the events.
