🎭 Patriotism on the Ropes

Jesse Ventura calling Donald Trump a “bed-wetter” over his military record feels like a pro-wrestling promo disguised as political commentary. And while it’s easy to laugh at Ventura’s digs, because when isn’t it funny to see a former wrestler suplex the ex-president with words, it’s worth looking deeper at the dynamics here. Ventura’s insult isn’t just about Trump ducking the draft; it’s about something much uglier that’s been festering in American culture for decades: how men like Trump weaponize patriotism without ever risking anything for it.

Let’s start with Trump’s military story, or lack thereof. When America came calling during Vietnam, Trump didn’t answer. He claimed he had bone spurs, those magical spurs that somehow never slowed him down on a golf course. Then he spent years building an image as a tough-talking, flag-waving defender of the troops, all while avoiding accountability to those same soldiers. That’s the script for a lot of powerful men in this country, especially white men with money. They wrap themselves in the flag, use veterans as props, and shout over anyone who questions their so-called patriotism. But when the rubber meets the road, whether it’s serving in the military, supporting VA reforms, or simply not sending troops into endless wars, they’re nowhere to be found.

Ventura dragging Trump over this is spicy, sure. But it also exposes something deeper: how power lets men like Trump rewrite history. Draft dodging is as American as apple pie, but the privilege to dodge and still brand yourself a “patriot” is reserved for certain people. Muhammad Ali refused to fight in Vietnam too, but when he did it, he was branded a traitor, stripped of his titles, and vilified in the press. Black folks know this double standard all too well. When we take principled stands against unjust wars or criticize America’s imperialist tendencies, we’re called ungrateful or anti-American. But a rich white man like Trump dodges the draft and still gets to play Commander-in-Chief, no questions asked. It’s not just hypocrisy, it’s structural.

This isn’t just about Trump’s military record either.

They wrap themselves in the flag, use veterans as props, and shout over anyone who questions their so-called patriotism. But when the rubber meets the road, whether it’s serving in the military, supporting VA reforms, or simply not sending troops into endless wars, they’re nowhere to be found.

Ventura’s jab highlights a much bigger issue: how easily American culture conflates masculinity with aggression and patriotism. Trump isn’t just a man who avoided Vietnam; he’s a man whose entire public persona is built on the idea of dominance. He brags about grabbing women, bullies people on social media, and loves to talk about crushing enemies. That’s the toxic stew of masculinity we’ve been fed for generations, a kind of performative toughness that doesn’t actually require courage or sacrifice. It’s loud, it’s empty, and it’s dangerous. And when Black folks challenge those ideas, we’re often met with backlash. Think about how people react to Black athletes taking a knee during the anthem or questioning the military-industrial complex. We’re told to shut up and be grateful for freedoms that don’t always apply to us equally.

So what do we do with Ventura’s insult? Laugh, sure. But don’t stop there. Let it remind us to keep questioning the performative patriotism that props up systems of inequality. Let it remind us that true courage isn’t about beating your chest or talking big, it’s about standing up for what’s right, even when it costs you something. And let it remind us to keep challenging the ways America defines masculinity, patriotism, and power. Because if we don’t, men like Trump will keep selling us a version of America that’s all talk and no backbone.

Ventura might’ve meant this as a burn, but for us, it’s a mirror. Trump dodged service and still got handed the keys to the country. That says less about him than it does about the system that let him play America like a game. And we know all too well who that game hurts most.