Augie Ray
In 2009, Obama attended a "dignified transfer" at Dover Air Force Base and held a salute for 45 minutes. He did not wear a baseball cap like he was attending a ballgame.
Mar 8 at 11:25pmWeb
Show threadRobin BartonMar 9
@augieray You can support him or not but recognize he was a real president and not a buffoon
Show threadMatt HallMar 9

@augieray

I think the simplest difference is Obama went to pay _respect_.

Trump goes to demand spectacle and recognition.

...

They are not the same.

Show threadRich Stein (he/him)Mar 9
@augieray
MAGAs missed the disrespect by trump because their propaganda network conveniently didn't broadcast it:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/08/fox-news-trump-hat-salute-military
h/t @dangillmor
https://mastodon.social/@dangillmor/116196620740122150
Fox News uses old clip of Trump after he wore hat while saluting slain US soldiers

Conservative outlet aired footage of president saluting at similar ceremony in December for at least three broadcasts

The Guardian
Show threadSu_GMar 9

@augieray
Obama is a serious person; Thump is not. 😐

#respect

Show thread3rdiMar 9
@augieray Trump had to worry about his hair....
Show threadMarie et JulienMar 9
@augieray why did a civilian salute?
Show threadWildflower01Mar 9
@mariejulien Are you being serious? Look up "Commander in Chief".
Show threadMarie et JulienMar 9
@Wildflower01 he's still a civilian, depending on the country the military salute is not appropriate even as commander in chief. I don't know for USA.
Show threadWildflower01Mar 9
@mariejulien The President in the US is in command of the armed forces. In other words, he's the highest on the totem pole in the military. Higher than a 5-star General. He salutes.
Show threadMarie et JulienMar 9
@Wildflower01 The President in France is in command of the armed forces. Litteraly "chief of the armies". In other words, he's the highest on the totem pole in the military. Higher than a 5-star General. He does not salute. Because he's a civilian and here military salutes are for… well, military.
Show threadWildflower01Mar 11

@mariejulien Looks like it started with Reagan.

"The U.S. military salutes the President as a sign of respect to the Commander-in-Chief, who represents the highest civilian authority over the armed forces. While military regulations require personnel to salute the President, the tradition of the President returning the salute only became standard under President Reagan in 1981."

Show threadMarie et JulienMar 11
@Wildflower01 good to know. As you see, it was not so obvious, and not a requirement. Thanks for the follow up!