What did Donald Trump do today?

He turned Memorial Day into an excuse for self-promotion.

Shortly before giving a fairly traditional pre-scripted Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery, Trump sent a tweet wishing Americans a "happy Memorial Day." He then proceeded to argue that America's war dead "would be very happy and proud" at the state of the nation under his watch. 

As proof that the country's honored dead would approve of his presidency, Trump cited a few statistics he likes to take personal credit for in political contexts, like the unemployment rate among African-Americans. (Trump's term is the red line below.)

Reaction from military veterans and families from across the political spectrum was swift and harsh.

Why is this bad?

• The men and women who died for the United States are not cheap political props.

• Believing that everyone does or should praise you is not a sign of good mental health.