Your second point is true,and an important message. As for it being “theater”, I guess that can be said about most anything. Trump’s intention is sincere and changes the discussion to “You want free stuff? Serve your country first. You prefer to lay on your ass and suck down lattes for 4 years? Pay for your own college then”.
1) In the last ten years there appears to be a large amount of fraud in vet disability. Obama era questionable identity types enrolling for short term walking away with lifelong benefits.
2) And now bottom feeding lawyers looking for quick $$$ from ear damage to vets caused by bad ear plugs.
3) We have counties that give so called disabled vets free ride on property taxes.
I value those who have served but there is another flavor of vet today and more deep state giving away the store in lifelong, unchecked, benefits.