Donald Trump reportedly wanted a dangerous military display to celebrate the Navy’s 250th anniversary.
According to two sources close to the planning who spilled this information to the Associated Press, the White House urged the Navy to swap out dummy bombs for live 2,000-pound munitions during the event in Norfolk, Virginia.
“Trump needed to see explosions,” one planner told the outlet, pushing back on the Navy’s original plan for a splash-only demonstration.
Despite internal military protocols that typically favor inert bombs for safety and cost, the White House reportedly pushed for real firepower. A third person confirmed the original use of dummies was changed, though it’s unclear exactly who made the final call.
The White House denied any last-minute switch, claiming, “Organizers always planned to use live munitions, as is typical in training exercises,” said Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly.
On October 5, Navy destroyers launched missiles into the Atlantic, jets fired real bombs, and helicopters blasted rockets, all part of the Titans of the Sea Presidential Review. Trump and First Lady Melania watched from aboard the USS George H.W. Bush.
The shift forced the Navy to revise safety plans, especially with ships firing live ordnance at sea. This comes just weeks after another controversial live-fire demonstration in California for the Marine Corps’ anniversary sent shrapnel flying near a busy freeway.
