MSNBC host Rachel Maddow mocked and criticized President Trump on Friday for his transition team's request to have a military flyover during the inaugural parade hours after he was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.
"We were talking earlier about these reports that the Trump transition had requested more of a Red Square style show of military force including tanks and missile launchers in a military parade, which is not something that we do in this country," Maddow said.
She added that the transition team also requested a military flyover from all five branches of the U.S. military, including helicopters from the Coast Guard. Maddow then cited one of Trump's recent interviews and noted how he wanted to "show off the military" in the parade, which made the MSNBC host question his motives.
"I don't understand why he wants that," Maddow said.
"You know why, the show of strength. It's the head of state's show of military strength," MSNBC's Chris Matthews replied.
Maddow called Trump's military request "embarrassing," saying the only president without public service or military experience wants to show off the military the most.
"Is this a small hands thing you think? Is this a small hands phenomenon?" Matthews asked.
"You got multiple deferments from the war that happened when you were in your prime and then you want to show off the military once you're in office?" Maddow asked.
Maddow's "Red Square" comparison was a reference to the city square in Moscow, where the Soviet Union held many military style parades in the 20th century. Since Trump won the election last November, Democrats have accused Russia's President Vladimir Putin of interfering in the U.S. presidential election and hacking the Democratic National Committee to help Trump get elected.
The U.S. intelligence community has said Russia was behind a cyber and disinformation campaign to influence the election and hurt Hillary Clinton's candidacy.