Trump's self-congratulatory Thanksgiving provoked criticism — including from a Republican party strategist and a retired Lieutenant General.
Donald Trump spent Thanksgiving Day thanking himself — starting on Twitter at 6:30 a.m, and worse yet, in a video conference with U.S. troops deployed overseas.
"HAPPY THANKSGIVING, your Country is starting to do really well," his first tweet of the morning began.
Trump mentioned several things for which he is grateful to himself, including jobs and the stock market. He made no mention, however, of President Obama, whose policies set the country on it's current economic path. Shortly thereafter, Trump tweeted his 2016 campaign slogan.
Republican strategist Ana Navarro responded on Twitter: "Trump doesn’t seem to understand Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, not clapping yourself on the back. But hey, at least he didn’t start the day attacking an American. So that’s something to be thankful for...I guess."
Yet in a video conference with American service members, Trump couldn't help but thank himself again. "They say we've made more progress against ISIS than they did in years of the previous administration. And that's because I'm letting you do your job," he said.
“We’re really winning. We know how to win. But we have to let you win. They weren’t letting you win before,” Trump said — drawing sharp criticism from at least one decorated veteran.
“We have been winning,” retired Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling said on CNN. “You’re talking to soldiers and military personnel around the world who have been in this fight for 17 years, and to suddenly be told they’re winning now when they weren’t winning before is somewhat insulting.”
A few hours later, as many Americans began Thanksgiving Day preparations with family and friends, Trump tweeted a Thanksgiving video in which he recounted the history of the holiday, then patted himself on the back again, saying, "Our country is doing very well ... We are doing something very special. People are feeling it. The enthusiasm in this country has never been higher."
He just doesn't get it. He can't help but make it about himself — even on Thanksgiving.
