The US president was met with laughter as he made remarks about the US military at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington – but some moments were awkward
President Donald Trump speaks during the National Prayer Breakfast(Image: AP)
Donald Trump has bragged that the US military “all look like Tom Cruise, only bigger” and said there’s no room for “extremely weak, not muscular” people.
The US president was met with laughter as he made the remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington. It wasn’t the only inappropriate moment during his 77-minute long speech.
Addressing members of Congress and faith leaders, Trump claimed he believes he will make it to Heaven and that he has brought religion and Christianity back to the centre of American life.
On the topic of the US military, he said: “We prefer a strong person in the military as opposed to a weak person.
Trump made a few bold claims(Image: AP)
“We prefer somebody that’s a strong, powerful person with extremely good vision that can shoot a rifle very well to a person that’s extremely weak, not muscular, can’t shoot a rifle, has no idea where the hell he is.
“We have a military where they all look like Tom Cruise, only bigger.”
The annual event has hosted past speakers such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Bono, Tony Blair and Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative.
But with Trump, there was the swipe at “transgender insanity”, a rant against bird-killing wind farms, and an account of Greenland as “the biggest piece of ice in the world.”
Later on, Trump referred to Republican Thomas Massie as a “moron” stating: “he’s an automatic no. No matter what,” Trump said, referencing Massie’s opposition to past legislation pushed by the president and other Republicans.
He bragged about the US military(Image: AP)
“If we did welfare reform, if we did the greatest thing in the history for religion, no matter what we did, no matter how good it is,” he continued. “No matter what we do, this moron, no matter what it is.”
There was also a glimpse into Trump’s sleeping habits as he looked back on a visit to Iraq stating: “I don’t sleep on planes. I don’t like sleeping on planes. You know, I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies, actually.”
And Trump, 79, welcomed two special guests. He described Bukele, 44, the self-styled world’s coolest dictator, as “one of my favourite people” and “a great ally”, noting: “He operates rather large prisons.”
Then Trump said: “We’re joined today by a very, very brave and wonderful man. The president of the Congo. President – ”
Unable to remember – or pronounce Félix Tshisekedi’s name, Trump said: “The president, would you stand up please?”
While speaking at the Washington Hilton hotel, Trump claimed that he’s “done more for religion than any other president,” arguing that other presidents “bailed out” on religion.
“I don’t know how a person of faith can vote for a Democrat. I really don’t,” Trump said at the event. The president claimed he’s brought religion and Christianity back to the center of American politics and culture, such as his efforts to support prayer in school, policies targeting transgender people, and the creation of a White House faith office.
Trump also shared plans to hold an event at the National Mall on May 17 to “rededicate America as one nation under God.”
“Some major politicians refuse to say the word God. They don’t want to say it. I say it,” said Trump, adding, “there are many signs that religion is coming back” under his watch. “It’s coming back so strong. You know, your churches are filling up. You didn’t have that two years ago,” he said.