At the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, a gathering of U.S. generals (from one star to four stars) was addressed by a single email, making it difficult to explain this incident as merely an outburst from Pete Hegseth.

While he was clearly the frontman, behind him were Trump's political calculations and stagecraft, and ultimately, the intersection of their personalities and interests led to this collective performance.

The location was the Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. Over 800 generals from the U.S. military gathered, and it is reported that $6 million was spent on airfare and travel expenses.

However, this briefing, which ended up being a damp squib, will likely be recorded as a scene closer to a political show.

There has been a long-standing debate about whether Trump is a political master or merely a showman. He has an exceptional ability to handle crowd psychology, stimulating dissatisfaction and anxiety to draw people into his narrative. This can be seen as political psychological manipulation beyond mere showmanship. However, at the same time, he reveals an impulsiveness that prioritizes immediate attention and emotional satisfaction over strategic interests, making him appear more as an instinctive showman than a political master.

During this meeting at Quantico, Hegseth's mention of "fat generals" and his call to strengthen physical standards was a theatrical device that left psychological discomfort within the military. Some generals cynically remarked, "This could have been done via email," reflecting a displeasure that went beyond mere time-wasting, suggesting that the military's identity was being subordinated to politics.

Trump's statement that "U.S. troops could be deployed in American cities" is also seen as serious. For military generals, this may have appeared as a loyalty test. Although he did not explicitly demand an oath, the president's expectations were publicly displayed, creating a dangerous message that stirred anxiety and division within the military.

It is noteworthy that this gathering was designed more as a political symbol than for the essential purpose of defense. Dismissing diversity and protective regulations as unnecessary while emphasizing a warrior spirit and trying to fit all soldiers into a single image ultimately acted as psychological pressure suppressing diversity within the military.

The answer to whether Trump is a strategic master or merely a showman exists simultaneously within this scene.

He captured the media and supporters' attention instantly, which is undoubtedly a strategic sense. However, the fact that this stage was unrelated to actual security preparedness and resulted in undermining trust and autonomy within the military in the long term is problematic.

President Trump has recently shown increased interest in the Nobel Peace Prize, and I worry that this may reveal a hidden greed as he continues to repeat trivial happenings.