By Erewunmi Peace

Retired U.S. Army General Barry McCaffrey has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump over his recent speech to senior military officers at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, describing it as “exhausted, incoherent and at times stupid.”

McCaffrey, a decorated retired four-star general and military analyst, made the comments during an interview with MSNBC, saying the speech was “one of the most bizarre and unsettling events” he had ever seen from a former commander-in-chief.

“It was rambling, incoherent, exhausted, rabidly partisan, at times stupid, and meandering,” McCaffrey said, according to reports by The Independent and Reuters. “He couldn’t hold a thought together — it was a disturbing performance in front of military leadership.”

Former President Trump’s address at Quantico was part of an unusual military event that drew attention for its overtly political tone. According to Reuters, Trump used parts of the speech to repeat claims about “restoring order” and framed certain U.S. cities as “training grounds” for future law enforcement operations — comments that sparked concern among observers.

Critics said the remarks blurred the traditional line between the military and partisan politics, while some supporters praised Trump for his directness and commitment to “rebuilding strength in leadership.”

While McCaffrey’s comments have received wide coverage, others within the military community have been more cautious. No official Pentagon statement has been issued regarding the content of Trump’s speech or McCaffrey’s critique.

Political analysts note that McCaffrey’s harsh language underscores growing concerns among retired officers about Trump’s renewed engagement with military institutions as he positions himself for another possible run for the White House.

It’s worth noting that McCaffrey’s remarks represent his personal opinion, not an official government or institutional position. Several fact-checking organizations confirmed that Trump did deliver a speech at Quantico, and that McCaffrey made the quoted comments — but the evaluation of Trump’s tone and coherence remains subjective.