President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of the Navy is not being well received by his MAGA faithfuls.
Trump announced Tuesday evening that he had selected John Phelan, founder and chairman of the private investment firm Rugger Management, to lead the Navy, even though he has no military experience.
Phelan is, however, on the board of a nonprofit “dedicated to supporting troops and diplomats worldwide” and is a GOP megadonor who held a Trump campaign fundraising dinner at their $38 million home in Aspen Colorado, according to The Guardian.
“A true Champion of American Enterprise and Ingenuity!” Trump wrote in a statement. “John’s intelligence and leadership are unmatched. John holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School, and is a truly brilliant guy! His incredible knowledge and experience will elevate the lives of the brave Americans who serve our Nation.”
The decision did not go over well with come of the president-elect’s most ardent supporters who slammed the move suggesting it is blatant cronyism.
“This makes ZERO sense. NONE. How is Trump naming a hedge fund guy as Secretary of the Navy??? WTH???” one Trump supporter wrote. “I’m a huge Trump supporter, but we need MILITARY COMMANDERS running military branches.”
“Ummm, why? He has never served in the Navy,” another supporter of the president-elect wrote.
“As a Navy veteran, I dont understand this appointment,” said another. “At least have military service! John Phelan appt seems like a gift.”
Users on Trump’s Truth Social platform shared similar sentiments. One user said the choice “feels like you’re rewarding a friend/donor.”
“As a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, I want a Sailor in charge!! Not some walstreet billionaire with ZERO Military experience!!” another MAGA supporter wrote. “You got this wrong DJT!!!”
“You are selling out the navy to traitors!!” another trump fan wrote. “every pick you keep making is dooming our nation & god is p—–!. you deceived millions of us, God’s children out of our vote & your deceit curses this nation!”
