President Trump was recently addressing the troops stationed in Qatar and decided that, in the week when the Allies are celebrating the World War II victory, it’s a better time than any to take a swipe at France.
The president was on stage talking to the troops and the Qatari leadership on a varied array of topics. He touched on Iran’s nuclear weapon program and how he would like Qatar to dissuade Tehran from going that path. But he finally landed on the topic that was clearly at the top of his mind: the Allied victory celebrations that have been ongoing throughout Europe. Trump was complaining that everyone was celebrating except the US, which was a travesty to him because, as he explained, “we won the war.”
In his speech, Trump went on to say of the Allies, “They helped, but without us they don’t win the war. We’re all speaking German, you know that, right?” Having felt like his point was still not clear at that point, he went on to single out France for their participation in the war. “I think we did a little more to win the war than France did,” Trump continued. “I don’t want to be a wise guy, but when Hitler made a speech at the Eiffel Tower, I would say that wasn’t exactly ideal.”
Trump to American troops: "We love France, right? But I think we did a little more to win the war than France did. Do we agree? I don't want to be a wise guy, but when Hitler made his speech at the Eiffel Tower, I would say that wasn't exactly ideal." pic.twitter.com/0q8EtysfvJ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 15, 2025
Most users on X were quick to assure Trump that he had no reason to worry about being mistaken as wise. One user was quick to remind Trump that he’s a draft dodger and lacks the backbone to make such claims about people serving at the front lines of any war. Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen made the claim that Trump fabricated medical results so that he could avoid service during the Vietnam War.
Imagine how each soldier there must feel, knowing they risk their lives while standing before a man who dodged the draft. They embody courage and sacrifice, yet he lacked the backbone to serve when called. It must be profoundly disheartening.
— Dr G (@eg1701) May 15, 2025
One user quipped “Grandpa is inventing stories again.”
Grandpa is inventing stories again. Someone needs to put him in a home.
— The Great Gig in the Sky (@thegreatgig8) May 15, 2025
Another user chose to remind Trump not just of the activities during World War II, but the role that France and the Netherlands played in the American Revolution. The user ran down all the stats illustrating just how much the US also needs its allies — something President Biden still understands, even despite all his perceived faults.
/1 If neither France nor the Netherlands had supported the American Revolution, the outcome would likely have been far more challenging for the American colonies, with a significant risk of defeat.
— Mr. STAAK (@Hr_s5) May 15, 2025
Combined Impact of French and Dutch Support
• France’s Role:
• France provided…
There’s also a major discrepancy about Trump’s claim on Hitler making a speech at the Eiffel Tower. While it’s a historical fact that France lost a battle with Germany and was under occupation in the 1940s, the claim that Hitler gave a speech at the Eiffel is not substantiated by any historical evidence. The Nazi occupation did use the Eiffel Tower as a symbol of Nazi dominance, but there was never any speech. That’s propaganda.
Regardless of how the particulars of the war went down, it’s been long enough now to understand who was on the right side of history. What should matter is who stood by you when you were at your lowest — which is what the users on X are trying to point out by reminding everyone of France’s role in the US Revolutionary War.
What Trump chooses to focus on is propping up his long-held misunderstanding of what greatness is. He wants everyone to bow so that he can feel the tallest in the room.
