Reagan wanted lasers in space, too.
THE GOOD NEWS:
Trump may not be entirely serious.
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) which was dubbed “Star Wars” by its detractors. SDI was intended to defend the United States from a Soviet nuclear attack using land and space-based laser systems. The defense proposal never made it into orbit due to its cost and the fall of the Soviet Union by decade’s end.
President Donald Trump floated the idea of a new SDI-like defense system during a speech at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California on Tuesday, March 13. According to the president, a “Space Force” would allow America to be victorious in some imaginary intergalactic battle.
Last year, Trump watched “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” on Air Force One. Maybe he thought it was a documentary?
Great, Trump is watching Rogue One. We really don't need him getting any ideas. pic.twitter.com/gBoVP9sKrB
— Jason Ward (@MakingStarWars) April 6, 2017\n
“Space is a war-fighting domain, just like the land, air, and sea,” Trump said with a straight face. “We may even have a Space Force, develop another one, Space Force. We have the Air Force, we’ll have the Space Force.”
\n"My new national strategy for space recognizes that space is a war fighting domain just like the land, air, and sea," Trump said. He also entertains the idea of adding a new military branch, calling it the "Space Force." https://t.co/IECzRamgz4 pic.twitter.com/bUlC1zaOFS
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 13, 2018\n
Trump wasn’t serious about the idea at first, but now he thinks it’s worth pursuing.
“Then I said, ‘What a great idea!’ Maybe we’ll have to do that,’” Trump said. “So think of that: Space Force, because we are spending a lot and we have a lot of private money coming in, tremendous.”
Whether Trump’s proposal is a distraction from his scandal-ridden presidency, a big giveaway to defense contractors, or just another thoughtless rumination, is unclear. But what we do know is that Twitter found the whole thing was hilarious.
Even Luke Skywalker had to admit the idea was Bantha fodder.
\nOnly for a long ride on short pier. Hey Donald- Go Force Yourself! https://t.co/7AghPMGpAD
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) March 14, 2018\n
\nLive look at Trump announcing his new #SpaceForce pic.twitter.com/FqjZ7p8jbR
— Matthew T'Cherry (@MatthewACherry) March 14, 2018\n
\nHead of the Space Force pic.twitter.com/qJliPdcpqs
— andy lassner (@andylassner) March 14, 2018\n
\nTrump is actually forming the "Space Force" to keep out Space Mexicans. pic.twitter.com/bGaKWtg2hB
— The Scrump Administration (@ScrumpAdmin) March 14, 2018\n
\nPresident Trump offers first glimpse at proposed ‘Space Force’ pic.twitter.com/vhT90QtStg
— Have I Got News For You (@haveigotnews) March 14, 2018\n
\nNow Trump wants to build a space force. pic.twitter.com/N0BJUW2ocF
— Trump's not my Pres (@Nysteveo2AOLcom) March 14, 2018\n
\nTrump thinks “Space Force” means a team of men that can forcefully invade women’s space.
— OhNoSheTwitnt (@OhNoSheTwitnt) March 14, 2018\n
\nlive look at the planning of #SpaceForce pic.twitter.com/v3ZX3W5Pf2
— America is dead (@NHKeith) March 14, 2018\n
\nmy very first MEME!
— Really Don't Trump (@ReallyDontTrump) March 14, 2018\n
caption: me
art: @BKapcoe
inspiration: the dotard#spaceforce pic.twitter.com/M4bpVtVCUn
\nLet's call in THE SPACE FORCE! pic.twitter.com/vFysH8nzLE
— Stabler Genius (@dotojobr) March 14, 2018\n
\nHey @realDonaldTrump If you're going to have a #SpaceForce you're going to need a logo... pic.twitter.com/JmQrkFgMSq
— FlókiUSA (@FlokiUSA) March 14, 2018\n
\nCome on, who told Trump the Death Star was real?#spaceforce pic.twitter.com/4av0JHT5bA
— Luisa Haynes (@wokeluisa) March 14, 2018\n
\n"Space-Ex"
— m i t h (@ManInTheHoody) March 13, 2018\n
cc:@StormyDaniels #SpaceForce pic.twitter.com/ko5YAGaxFz
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