US President-elect Donald Trump sparked a heated debate online after saluting during the national anthem at the 125th Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Saturday. Attending the game with vice president-elect JD Vance, house speaker Mike Johnson, and defence secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, Trump’s gesture quickly went viral, with social media users questioning whether it was appropriate.
A salute that divided opinion
As the anthem began, Trump raised a salute from the VIP box, while others around him, including Vance and Hegseth, placed their hands over their hearts. Military protocol dictates that saluting is typically reserved for those in uniform or active-duty personnel. As the President-elect, Trump remains a civilian until his inauguration on January 20, 2025. Critics argued that the gesture was out of place, while supporters hailed it as a sign of patriotism.
One user on X (formerly Twitter) remarked, “All persons NOT in uniform should stand at attention, face the flag, and place their right hand over their heart. Trump isn’t in uniform. Read the flag code!” Another pointed out that President Joe Biden, the current Commander-in-Chief, is the one with authority to salute the military, adding that Trump’s action blurred the line between civilian and military roles.
Supporters rally behind Trump
On the other hand, Trump’s supporters flooded social media with praise. A video shared by a user read, “Donald Trump salutes during the national anthem. Joe Biden didn’t go for the past four years. Great to have the president back at Army-Navy.”
Another user quipped, “I’m surprised Biden never went. According to his speeches, he probably claims he played for both Army and Navy in the same game!”
Tradition of saluting at Army-Navy
Military tradition holds that civilians should place their hand over their heart during the anthem, reserving salutes for those in uniform. While there is no legal prohibition against civilians saluting, it is considered unusual and, by some, disrespectful to military personnel.
A symbolic moment for Trump
The Army-Navy game has historically been a stage for presidents and public figures to honor the military. Trump, no stranger to using high-profile appearances to energize his base, appeared to frame the event as a symbolic nod to his upcoming presidency. His presence at the game, alongside Republican heavyweights, was part of a broader effort to project unity and strength ahead of his inauguration.