Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu reminded Donald Trump on Monday that the “new” tanks he is demanding for his 4th of July event this week haven’t been in production for over 60 years.
In a tweet, Lieu broke the news to Trump by saying, “Hey [Donald Trump], the US hasn’t made any Sherman tanks in over 60 years.”
Hey @realDonaldTrump, the US hasn’t made any Sherman tanks in over 60 years.
Also, why are you suing to eliminate health care coverage for Americans with pre-existing conditions? https://t.co/8yMs9iuwhm
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— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 1, 2019
Clueless when it comes to just about every aspect of U.S. history, Trump said earlier that “we’re gonna have some tanks stationed outside… So we have to put them in certain areas but we have the brand new Sherman tanks and we have the brand new Abram tanks.”
The Sherman tanks Trump claims will be “brand new” at his Independence Day event were produced during World War II and haven’t been used since the Korean War.
Trump is shooting for a Kim Jong Un-style military parade
Regardless of Trump’s poor grasp of military equipment, it’s clear that his visit with Kim Jong Un on Sunday reignited his desire for an authoritarian-style event in the U.S. capital to celebrate the 4th of July.
As PoliticusUSA’s Jason Easley noted on Monday, Trump promised to have military tanks at the parade, even though they haven’t yet been approved and his administration is struggling to make it happen.
No matter what unfolds at this week’s 4th of July event, it’s clear that the president is trying to make the day all about him – and most of the country isn’t embracing it.
Just one-third of the American people plan to pay attention to Donald Trump as they celebrate America’s independence this week.
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Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.