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Donald Trump under fire for political speech at Boy Scouts event, as social media reminds president of values

Parents have expressed anger at a politically charged speech that Donald Trump delivered to tens of thousands of Boy Scouts on Monday. 

The President was also reminded on social media of the organisation's values, with many claiming Mr Trump had shown noticeably anti-Boy Scout behaviour.

US President Donald Trump waves after speaking to Boy Scouts during the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve in Glen Jean, West Virginia - Credit: AFP
US President Donald Trump waves after speaking to Boy Scouts during the National Boy Scout Jamboree at Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve in Glen Jean, West Virginia Credit: AFP

With his White House embroiled in investigations surrounding his campaign's ties with Russia, Mr Trump flew to West Virginia to a field full of 40,000 chanting and cheering Boy Scouts, telling them he was happy to leave Washington behind.

"Who the hell wants to speak about politics?" Mr Trump said, telling the boys at the National Scout Jamboree he wanted to talk about how to achieve their dreams.

Donald Trump gestures as former boys scouts, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, left, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, watch at the 2017 National Boy Scout Jamboree - Credit: AP
Donald Trump gestures as former boys scouts, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, left, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, watch at the 2017 National Boy Scout Jamboree Credit: AP

But politics proved too hard for Trump to resist on a day he spent pleading for Republican senators to vote to advance his long-promised health care overhaul and watching his son-in-law Jared Kushner being grilled on Capitol Hill about contacts with Russia.

"Tonight we put aside all of the policy fights in Washington, D.C. you've been hearing about with the fake news and all of that," he told the teenaged boys, sitting state by state in brightly coloured t-shirts.

"You know, I go to Washington and I see all these politicians and I see the swamp and it's not a good place," said Mr Trump.

Scouts and their leaders listen to President Donald Trump  - Credit: AP
Scouts and their leaders listen to President Donald Trump Credit: AP

"In fact, today I said we ought to change it from the word 'swamp' to the word 'cesspool' or perhaps to the word 'sewer.' It's not good. I see what's going on and believe me, I'd much rather be with you, that I can tell you," Mr Trump said.

He told the boys that the media were dishonest and would not show the size of their jamboree on television. "Fake media, fake media," Mr Trump said, drawing a chorus of boos and cheers.

The most sustained round of cheers and jeers came when Mr Trump mentioned his predecessor President Barack Obama, who had declined invitations to speak to the scout gathering while he was in office.

"By the way, just a question: did President Obama ever come to a jamboree?" Mr Trump said.

Mr Trump said he has 10 former Boy Scouts serving in his cabinet and White House, and brought a few on stage as examples of Boy Scout leadership in action, including Tom Price, his health secretary.

"Hopefully he's going to get the votes tomorrow to start our path toward killing this horrible thing known as Obamacare," Mr Trump said, referring to Obama's signature health care legislation, as the boys booed.

"He better get them, otherwise I'll say, 'Tom, you're fired!'" he said, borrowing the catch phrase from his reality television show, "The Apprentice."

The political-style rally drew widespread criticism on social media, particularly from parents. 

Mr Trump also provoked a backlash on Twitter after he himself started to cite Scout values. 

"Boy Scout values are American values, and great Boy Scouts become great, great Americans.  As the Scout Law says: 'A Scout is trustworthy, loyal' — we could use some more loyalty, I will tell you that," he told the crowd.

Although Mr Obama  did not attend the jamboree during his two terms, he addressed a 100th anniversary event in 2010 by video.

Pete Souza, the former White House photographer, also pointed out that Mr Obama had personally met scouts, adding that the former president did not boast to them about "his electoral college victory".