A group of U.S. Marines delivered a rare sight on Veterans Day when they towered over President Donald Trump during a round of spirited “Oorahs” with the commander in chief.
The moment came during The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, broadcast live from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. McAfee welcomed President Trump, who called in to discuss both football and his plans to honor America’s service members on Veterans Day.
“To me, it means taking care of the veterans because they’ve taken care of us… What I think of with the veterans is, ‘How do I take care of the veterans?’” Trump explained what the day means to him. “We’ve done a really good job.”
“To me, the vets, they’ve done their job,” he added. “They’ve been fantastic. They’re incredible people. They also voted for me about 92 percent, so we have to remember that. They’re just spectacular people; they don’t want much. And they gave so much.”
McAfee then asked Trump to belt out an “Oorah!” — which is a rallying cry for the Corps – and the group of fresh-faced Marines around the set immediately fired back in unison. The sound was powerful, sharp, and full of pride. You could practically feel the energy through the screen:
A little later in the interview, President Trump gave it another shot with a second “Oorah.” And let’s be real — he could use a bit more practice on the delivery. But the Marines that followed? They absolutely nailed it:
By the third go-around, President Trump had found his rhythm — and this time, his “Oorah!” landed perfectly. The Marines roared back in full force, and the whole exchange was electric:
“You want me to do another one? I’ll do another one!” Trump said, before he let it go.
At one point during the show, McAfee made it clear he wasn’t interested in hearing from the critics who were upset that he gave President Trump a platform. He shut them down fast.
“I would like to say, though, for the immediate people that are going to be mad. It’s the President of the United States. It’s Veterans Day. He’s the Commander-in-Chief,” McAfee explained. “Obviously, if we have the opportunity to talk to him, we’re going to. And he is hilarious.”
In September, Trump invited the Marine Corps Silent Drill team, which was practicing on the front lawn of the White House, into the Oval Office, where he presented them all with presidential coins.
One Marine thanked him for the gesture, to which Trump responded, “It’s my honor,” while shaking his hand and calling them “great people.”
