An interesting read in The Atlantic: Trump: Americans Who Died in War Are ‘Losers’ and ‘Suckers’. The article makes the not-particularly-novel observation that Trump views nearly every interaction in life as transactional, and simply cannot fathom people making choices that do not immediately benefit themselves.
Specifically, it looks at Trump's worldview as it pertains to military personnel, veterans and the fallen. I know true believers in the great orange god will discount it as a hatchet job, but it will be illuminating to those interested in why he sometimes acts incoherently.
Trump has a very "colorful" history with regards to the treatment of veterans prior to 2016. I could fully believe he "doesn't get it" how people could
volunteer to sign up for taking such risks. In some ways I think his outlook has likely changed on that since assuming Office. But the underlying issue still remains, he "doesn't understand it" but he has to accept that those people have placed their lives almost literally in his hands. So in some respects, I think he's probably one of the
better Commander in Chief's the nation has had recently as while he cannot understand the
why behind that choice, he can understand the
inherent value in their having done so. The value is beyond measure, and as such, is not treasure you spend frivolously. In any other context he may consider them "suckers" but for now, they're in his care, and he can appreciates that aspect far more than most could.
It may not be the best of reasons for making decisions involving the Military, but there certainly are far worse criteria that could be used... Like LBJ, Nixon, Clinton, and Obama.