Bulwark Takes: Trump Chooses Saudi LIV Golf Over Fallen Troops – Detailed Summary

Release Date: April 4, 2025

In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, hosts Sam Stein and Ben Parker delve into the controversial decision by President Donald Trump to prioritize attending a Saudi LIV Golf event over participating in a dignified transfer ceremony for fallen U.S. troops. The discussion interweaves substantive analysis of the tragic incident in Lithuania, Trump's historical stance on military honors, and the broader implications of his actions on national and international fronts.

1. Introduction: Trump’s Controversial Absence

The episode opens with Sam Stein highlighting President Trump’s absence from a dignified transfer ceremony commemorating four U.S. troops who perished in a training accident in Lithuania. Instead of attending the solemn event, Trump opted to engage in activities at his golf club in Florida, including negotiating a settlement between the PGA and LIV Golf, and hosting a high-profile fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “[Trump] is at his golf club... trying to negotiate a settlement between the PGA golf and live golf to warring factions in the golf wars. He also has a, I believe, a fundraiser tonight at Mar a Lago, a million dollar per person fundraiser tonight in Mar a Lago.”
(00:00)

Stein criticizes the optics of Trump’s choice, labeling it as "repulsive" and raising questions about his priorities, especially during a period of national mourning.

2. The Tragic Incident in Lithuania

Ben Parker provides a detailed account of the Atlantic Resolve training exercise in Lithuania, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between U.S. forces and their Estonian, Polish, and Lithuanian allies. The mission, aimed at demonstrating readiness to defend against potential threats, tragically resulted in the deaths of four American soldiers when their recovery vehicle sank into a mudhole.

Quote:

Ben Parker: “So this was a unit originally based out of Georgia that had rotated through to do exercises in Lithuania... The four of them lost their lives in this training accident. Just a freak thing.”
(01:16)

Parker underscores the emotional toll on the families, particularly noting that one of the fallen soldiers left behind seven children. He also highlights the Lithuanian President's heartfelt message during a vigil, contrasting it with Trump’s lack of presence.

Quote:

Ben Parker: “It almost seems like the president of Lithuania is taking this more seriously than the President of the United States.”
(03:00)

3. Trump’s Historical Stance on Dignified Transfers

The conversation shifts to Trump’s past behavior regarding dignified transfers. Stein recounts that during his first presidency, Trump attended a similar ceremony but faced criticism, leading him to refrain from participating in subsequent ones. Instead, Vice President Mike Pence and other officials took on these solemn duties.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “In his first presidency, he attended a dignified transfer. He was criticized for it... he decided he was never going to do it again.”
(03:00)

Ben Parker adds context by recalling an earlier incident where Trump’s insensitive remarks towards a fallen soldier’s family further illustrate his contentious relationship with military honors.

Quote:

Ben Parker: “He called the widow and said, well, he knew what he signed up for... he called American war dead suckers and losers.”
(04:05)

4. Criticism of Trump’s Priorities and Optics

Stein elaborates on the negative perceptions surrounding Trump’s decision to focus on golf and business ventures amid national crises. He draws parallels to historical figures, likening Trump’s behavior to "Fiddling while Rome burns," suggesting a blatant disregard for critical national issues.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “…it's kind of an unsettling image of a president caring more about golf than these real world moments. Kind of a Nero. A little Nero. Ish.”
(05:31)

The hosts discuss Trump's financial interests in LIV Golf, indicating potential conflicts of interest and questioning his commitment to national duty over personal gain.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “...he does have a financial stake in Live. Live hosts golf tournaments at his club. So he does have a desire personally to make sure that this goes through.”
(06:10)

Ben Parker suggests that Trump might be prioritizing his relationship with Saudi Arabia and his friend Mohammed bin Salman, which could undermine U.S. interests.

5. Comparison with Joe Biden’s Dignified Transfer

Stein contrasts President Trump’s actions with those of former President Joe Biden, who faced ridicule for his own dignified transfer ceremony. Biden was criticized for appearing disengaged during the event, leading to a flurry of Republican attacks and mockery. Stein highlights the irony of Republicans' harsh criticism of Democrats for their handling of dignified ceremonies, while Trump himself neglects these duties.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “Republicans have been outwardly critical of Democrats for not being properly dignified at the dignified transfer. And yet Trump doesn't even show that.”
(07:32)

He references a Republican ad that parodies Biden’s watch-checking moment at Dover, further illustrating the polarized political environment surrounding military honors.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “There’s an ad that Donald Trump allies ran in which they spotlighted that moment from Biden at Dover, checking his watch.”
(07:59)

6. The Implications of Trump’s Approach

The hosts explore the broader implications of Trump's dismissive attitude towards dignified transfers. They discuss how his nonchalant behavior during national tragedies could set a concerning precedent for presidential responsibilities and national sentiment.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “If you just act nonchalantly about it. If you just say, I don't give a fuck, then it doesn't really hurt.”
(09:22)

Ben Parker reflects on Trump’s ability to maintain a loyal base despite these controversies, suggesting that his disregard for traditional presidential duties may resonate with his supporters.

Quote:

Ben Parker: “His superpower is that he gets people to hold him to the standards he sets for himself rather than the standards that everyone else has to live by.”
(09:36)

7. Conclusion: Assessing the Landscape

In their concluding remarks, Stein and Parker assess the current political landscape, pondering the ramifications of a president who prioritizes personal interests over national responsibilities. They express concern over the potential erosion of respect for ceremonial duties and the message it sends to both allies and adversaries.

Quote:

Sam Stein: “It is a presidential duty like that. This is, I mean, it should be, frankly, this is the highest, you know, it's one of the highest responsibilities and burdens of the Commander in chief.”
(08:42)

The episode wraps up with a reaffirmation of the importance of dignified transfers and a call for leaders to uphold these solemn traditions, ensuring that the sacrifices of fallen soldiers are appropriately honored.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Bulwark Takes offers a critical examination of President Trump’s priorities in the wake of a national tragedy, juxtaposing his actions with the gravity of military honors. Through insightful dialogue and poignant quotes, Stein and Parker underscore the tension between personal interests and presidential duties, prompting listeners to reflect on the broader implications for leadership and national respect.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sam Stein (00:00): “Trump... is at his golf club... trying to negotiate a settlement between the PGA golf and live golf to warring factions in the golf wars.”

• Ben Parker (01:16): “This was a unit originally based out of Georgia that had rotated through to do exercises in Lithuania... The four of them lost their lives in this training accident.”

• Ben Parker (03:00): “It almost seems like the president of Lithuania is taking this more seriously than the President of the United States.”

• Sam Stein (05:31): “…it's kind of an unsettling image of a president caring more about golf than these real world moments. Kind of a Nero. A little Nero. Ish.”

• Sam Stein (07:32): “Republicans have been outwardly critical of Democrats for not being properly dignified at the dignified transfer. And yet Trump doesn't even show that.”

• Ben Parker (09:36): “His superpower is that he gets people to hold him to the standards he sets for himself rather than the standards that everyone else has to live by.”

• Sam Stein (08:42): “This is, I mean, it should be, frankly, this is the highest... responsibility and burdens of the Commander in chief.”

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