Adam Kinzinger tears into Trump's 'smiling thumbs up’ while honoring soldiers killed in Afghan withdrawal

ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA: Former President and GOP nominee Donald Trump ran into controversy as he was photographed smiling and giving a thumbs up while standing at the graves of fallen Marines in Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, August 23, reported the Daily Beast.

Trump was there to commemorate the third anniversary of the loss of 13 US troopers during the country's withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. His hand gesture, accompanied by his signature smirk, looked out of place at the somber location and earned him criticism over social media, including from former GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger.

Adam Kinzinger's takedown of Donald Trump

Retweeting a post by Utah Gov Spencer Cox which showed Trump accompanied by the family members of a fallen soldier, Kinzinger wrote, "Smiling thumbs up at the grave is unusual, to say the least. Never mind that Trump negotiated the 'deal' and is the reason we left."

While MAGA has stood their ground on blaming incumbent Joe Biden's administration for the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, Trump was in the White House when he signed a deal that would have ultimately led there. He had even planned to host members of the Taliban at Camp David in September 2019 to finalize the terms.

A few defenders of the former president tried to explain that Trump's demeanor was simply because of his habit from being on the campaign trail for months. Others pointed out that a few of the family members of the fallen trooper, identified as Staff Sgt Darin Taylor Hoover, had their thumbs up themselves.

Arlington National Cemetery is maintained by the United States Army and has strict rules about partisan events being held on the grounds. While the cemetery denies entry to individuals who attempt to “gain publicity or engender support for any cause,” visits by presidents and politicians are often covered by the press.

Donald Trump's gesture riles up Internet

Netizens reacting to Trump's action on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) were primarily critical of the former president, barring a few who came to his defense. The following tweets demonstrate the predominant takes.

"Unbelievable. It is all about him, all of the time," wrote a user, in response to a post calling Trump's action, "Disgraceful."

"Trump is VILE," jibed another.

"WTH, Trump, giving a thumbs-up at a gravesite? That’s like doing jazz hands at a funeral—wildly inappropriate and utterly clueless," commented a fourth.

"All this is a photo-op for a Dictator who still thinks he (is) President! Disgusting," slammed a fifth.

"It looks like everyone is holding their thumbs up!" exclaimed a user backing Trump.

"Everyone in the picture is smiling," shared another.

"They are all smiling. Where was Kamala Harris? Was she too busy to join? It was her administration that caused this and she didn't show up? Sad," mocked yet another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.