### Trump Vows to Restore Confederate General's Name to North Carolina Army Base

In a recent town hall meeting held in Fayetteville, North Carolina, former President Donald Trump announced his intention to revert the name of a military base back to its former designation, Fort Bragg. The base, currently named Fort Liberty, initially honored Confederate General Braxton Bragg, a figure widely criticized for his role in the Civil War and his history of enslaving people.

Trump suggested that this pledge could be a significant factor in securing an electoral victory, stating, "I think I just learned the secret to winning absolutely and by massive margins. I'm going to promise to you, as I said at the beginning, that we're going to change the name back to Fort Bragg." He made the comments after a soldier identifying as active-duty at Fort Liberty was booed by the crowd.

The renaming of Fort Liberty, along with eight other military installations previously named after Confederate figures, was recommended by a congressional commission in 2022. Despite Trump's veto of a military spending bill that included a provision to rename these bases, Congress later overrode his decision.

Trump has a history of defending monuments and institutions that honor Confederate figures. He has been vocal in his opposition to the removal of Confederate statues and frequently praised Confederate General Robert E. Lee, actions that have garnered support from white supremacist groups, whom he has notably refused to condemn.

In contrast, Trump has often criticized military officials and military families. Over the past summer, he accused the military's highest ranks of being "woke" and threatened to dismiss them if re-elected. During the same town hall, he agreed with a former Air Force pilot's notion to create a panel to prevent "woke generals" from serving.

Trump's pledges and actions continue to evoke strong reactions, showcasing his influence over certain voter demographics and his polarizing stance on issues related to Confederate symbols and military leadership.