FnF News
FNF News | U.S. Politics & Culture Published: June 16, 2025
By: Khadija Khan
“Who’s the Real King?”: Military Pride, Trump Smears, and a Divided Nation on America’s 250th Armed Forces Anniversary
As the United States marked a monumental 250 years since the founding of its military, tensions between patriotic celebration and political polarization reached new heights. Amid fireworks, salutes, and parades commemorating the birth of the U.S. Armed Forces, a familiar narrative reemerged: the Democratic Party and left-leaning media figures once again invoked imagery of monarchy and dictatorship — accusing Donald Trump of aspiring to kingship.
But outside of Washington and the coastal media hubs, millions of Americans were not interested in metaphors or memes. They were focused on honoring soldiers, past and present. They were raising flags, not raising alarms.
“This is about sacrifice and service, not slander,” said Brian Walker, a retired Marine and lifelong independent from Tampa, Florida. “Yet somehow, even a day like this gets turned into a referendum on Trump.”
The Military Turns 250: A Historic Milestone Overshadowed
June 14, 2025, marked a historic milestone — the 250th birthday of the United States military, dating back to the formation of the Continental Army under General George Washington in 1775. Across the country, veterans, active-duty personnel, and civilians gathered to commemorate the armed forces with parades, speeches, and ceremonial honors.
At Fort Liberty in North Carolina, one of the largest celebrations took place with over 50,000 attendees, including high school ROTC groups and families of fallen soldiers. In Texas, hundreds lined streets in Killeen for a candlelight vigil outside Fort Cavazos.
“We owe everything to the men and women in uniform,” said Staff Sgt. Maria Lopez. “This is a moment to reflect on 250 years of defense, not division.”
However, for many watching national coverage on outlets like MSNBC and CNN, the occasion was less about unity and more about warnings of tyranny. Segments focused heavily on fears of a second Trump term, often calling him an aspiring monarch.
Media Narratives: Trump as King, Again
While conservatives organized community events and parades, prominent liberal voices took to social media and prime-time broadcasts to cast doubt over what they viewed as an increasingly authoritarian political movement.
- Rachel Maddow called the military anniversary a “backdrop for Trumpian pageantry.”
- Joy Reid compared Trump-supporting veterans to “royal guards protecting a criminal.”
- The Nation published a column titled: “From Commander-in-Chief to King-in-Waiting.”
This narrative didn’t sit well with Americans who saw it as disrespectful.
“It’s insulting,” said Elijah Vega, a 38-year-old Army veteran from Lubbock, Texas. “They’re using our moment to smear the only president who gave us respect and resources. Trump wasn’t a king. He was the first president in decades who put veterans first.”
The Left’s Silence and Absence
Perhaps more striking than the criticism was the absence of Democratic leadership. President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and key cabinet members were all notably absent from public military events. While Biden released a brief written statement, there was no video message, no live appearance, and no symbolic gesture.
“This tells us everything we need to know,” said conservative pundit Dana Loesch. “They show up for foreign flags and activist marches, but ignore their own military’s birthday.”
Adding fuel to conservative frustration, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had been active on X (formerly Twitter) all week promoting LGBTQIA+ and climate justice causes, made no mention of the Armed Forces’ 250th.
Who’s Really the King?
Ironically, critics say the real signs of “monarchy” aren’t coming from Donald Trump — but from unelected bureaucracies, activist judges, and an elite media class that controls cultural narratives without accountability.
“Trump had to fight for every inch against the FBI, the courts, and his own agencies. That’s not a king — that’s a president under siege,” said Nick Freitas, a former state legislator and political analyst.
Patriotism vs Politics
A recent Pew Research survey found that 68% of conservatives identify military pride as a key part of their American identity, compared to just 29% of liberals. This stark divide is reflected in how each side viewed the day.
- Republicans organized over 1,200 public events nationwide.
- Democrats, according to party calendars, sponsored fewer than 150 commemorative actions.
For many, this disparity reveals more than a scheduling issue — it reveals a deepening cultural fracture.
“The American left now views military pride as nationalism, and nationalism as extremism,” said Hoover Institution fellow Shelby Steele. “It’s a reversal from the JFK era. And it’s alarming.”
Final Thoughts: Standing at the Crossroads
As the sun set on June 14, the question facing America wasn’t just whether it had honored its troops — but whether it could survive its ideological war over national identity.
“I watched MSNBC all weekend,” said 73-year-old Vietnam vet Robert Giles from Dayton, Ohio. “They didn’t even show a flag. It was all Trump, Trump, Trump. But you know what? I’m still proud. Because I’m not here for them. I’m here for my brothers and sisters who never came home.”
The American military may have turned 250, but its future — and the country it defends — feels increasingly uncertain. In a time of media cynicism, political paranoia, and cultural division, one thing remains: service and sacrifice are still sacred.
And no matter how loud the kings and jesters of the media speak, that truth still echoes through the ranks.
Sources:
- Department of Defense Official Bulletin: June 2025
- Pew Research Center: American Identity Survey, May 2025
- The Nation, MSNBC, CNN broadcast transcripts
- Social media records (X/Twitter) of public officials
- On-the-ground interviews conducted by FNF News staff