The Daily Beast Podcast Trump Hid Sinister Message in Speech to Generals
Oct 2, 2025
Lieutenant General Mark Hertling (Ret.) brings a wealth of military experience to the discussion, analyzing Donald Trump's unusual speech at Quantico before senior military leaders. Hertling criticizes the tone of the addresses, describing them as 'berating' and 'embarrassing.' He explores the potential dangers of using the military for domestic policing and discusses the implications of Trump's disregard for military norms. The conversation also covers how allies and adversaries perceive this shift, alongside the broader impact on troop morale and national security.
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Public Berating Tarnishes Military Culture
- Secretary Hegseth berated senior leaders publicly, damaging institutional reputation.
- Mark Hertling said leaders should discipline privately and praise publicly to preserve trust.
Avoid Hazing In Basic Training
- Do not return to old-style abusive basic training methods because they produce worse soldiers.
- Hertling urges modern training that builds leadership rather than hazing recruits.
Silence Was Professionalism, Not Protest
- The audience of generals and sergeants majors remained silent out of professional restraint, not disrespect.
- Hertling saw that silence as adherence to the oath and an indicator the crowd rattled President Trump.
