As the world celebrates the season of giving, a powerful moment from Donald Trump’s presidency is once again making headlines. A video shared by former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino captured a remarkable Christmas Day visit to western Iraq in 2018 that left troops—and the nation—awestruck.
In the clip, Huckabee Sanders recounts the incredible journey: boarding Air Force One under the cover of darkness, landing in a war zone with no lights on the runway, and walking into a packed dining hall full of U.S. soldiers who had no idea the Commander-in-Chief was about to join them. The moment Trump and then-First Lady Melania Trump entered the room, she says, “that room absolutely erupted.”
It was a moment of genuine patriotism and appreciation, as one soldier shouted from the back, “Mr. President, I reenlisted in the military because of you.” Trump’s response was as immediate as it was heartfelt: “Son, I am here because of you.”
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Dan Scavino’s post of the moment has quickly gone viral, garnering over 400,000 views as Americans reflect on the leadership and gratitude that characterized Trump’s relationship with the armed forces.
On December 26, 2018, President Trump and First Lady Melania made their unannounced visit to U.S. troops stationed at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. This marked President Trump’s first visit to a combat zone since taking office.
President Trump the First Lady Visit Troops in Iraq
During their approximately three-hour stay, the President and First Lady met with service members, posed for photographs, and expressed their gratitude for the troops’ service and sacrifice. President Trump addressed the gathered military personnel, stating, “Two years ago when I became president they were a very dominant group, today they’re not so dominant any more. Great job.”
President Donald J. Trump, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, attends a briefing with military leadership members Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at the Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)
In his remarks, President Trump also defended his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, asserting that other countries should share more of the burden in maintaining regional stability. He stated, “The United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world.”
President Trump the First Lady Visit Troops in Iraq
Following the visit to Iraq, the President and First Lady stopped at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to meet with additional U.S. troops before returning to Washington.
