The United States is witnessing an unprecedented phenomenon in modern history: a deep and public rift between President Donald Trump and the nation’s highest-ranking military leadership. Viral social media videos with titles like “Trump’s own General calls him a traitor to his face” are garnering millions of views, reflecting a reality even more intense than fictional scripts: The U.S. military is at an “inflection point” regarding loyalty and the Constitution.

1. From “Clickbait” Videos to the Harsh Reality at the Pentagon

In recent days, the internet has been flooded with dramatic footage depicting generals berating Donald Trump inside the White House. While many of these videos are labeled as fictional content, the reason they are so effective and widely believed is that they are built on a foundation of fact: Military leaders have indeed called Trump a “wannabe dictator”.

• A Dangerous Confusion: Most viewers do not read the fictional disclaimers. They see the title, watch the content, and believe a general actually stood up and called the President a “traitor”.

• The Inflection Point: Military experts and veterans from both parties warn that this is a historic moment the nation must confront, as the military is being dragged into partisan political controversies.

2. General Mark Milley: “We Do Not Take an Oath to a Wannabe Dictator”

One of the most shocking events was the 2023 farewell speech by General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Without naming him directly, Milley dealt a direct blow to Donald Trump by declaring: “The U.S. military does not swear an oath to a wannabe dictator. We swear an oath to the Constitution”.

• An Unprecedented War of Words: Previously, Trump had posted on social media that Milley’s communications with China were “treasonous” and punishable by death.

• Personal Consequences: The situation grew so severe that General Milley had to implement appropriate safety measures for his family following the President’s veiled threats.

3. Allegations of “Dereliction of Duty” from Seven 4-Star Generals

In 2022, a group of seven retired four-star generals and admirals signed a joint statement condemning Trump’s actions during the January 6th events. These were not ordinary political critics, but individuals who spent their lives commanding the military.

• Dereliction of Duty: They accused Trump of abdicating his responsibility to preserve and protect the Constitution as he sat by while the Capitol was under attack.

• A Threat to Democracy: These leaders asserted that Trump endangered the core principle of civilian control of the military, attempting to turn the armed forces into a personal political tool.

4. Donald Trump and the “Enemy Within” Strategy

Contrary to the traditional reserve of the military, Donald Trump has publicly pushed a new vision: using military force to attack what he calls “the enemy within”.

• Military in American Cities: Trump expressed his intention to use the National Guard and regular military troops in major American cities to suppress protests or political opponents.

• The Pentagon’s Reaction: These remarks have fueled fears within the military of a scenario where troops are forced to choose between the President’s orders and their oath to the Constitution.

CONCLUSION: A DEMOCRACY ON THE BRINK OF INSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

The confrontation between Donald Trump and his generals is more than just a YouTube drama. It is a sign of the collapse of civil-military norms that have existed for decades.

Whether or not a general literally called Trump a “traitor” in the Oval Office, the reality remains that trust between the Commander-in-Chief and the military elite has shattered. As four-star generals publicly warn of autocracy, America enters an uncertain new chapter where loyalty to the Constitution stands as the final barrier against absolute personal power.