Former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told CNN early Tuesday that he was "deeply offended" by a Memorial Day tweet from President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE in which the president suggested fallen soldiers would be proud of his administration's economic accomplishments.

In an interview with "New Day," Kirby, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral who served in the Obama administration, said Trump's Twitter message was "incredibly inappropriate."

"It bothered me greatly. It deeply offended me," Kirby said. "I'm not a combat vet, but I've known friends that've been killed in these wars over the last 17 years. I can assure you they didn't think they were going over there to fight, to prepare to give their lives so that the American economy could thrive."

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"It was incredibly inappropriate for the commander in chief — and that's what he is; he isn't just the president, he's the commander in chief — to talk about Memorial Day in that fashion. I joined the many, many veterans who were deeply offended by that," Kirby added.

"It bothered me greatly. It deeply offended me," says retired Rear Admiral @JohnFKirby63 of President Trump's Memorial Day tweet, which he calls "incredibly inappropriate." pic.twitter.com/uDGcbdxKca — New Day (@NewDay) May 29, 2018

Social media users mocked Trump over his Memorial Day tweet, which touted his own accomplishments alongside praise for the troops.

"Best economy in decades, lowest unemployment numbers for Blacks and Hispanics EVER (& women in 18years), rebuilding our Military and so much more. Nice!" Trump added in the tweet.

Happy Memorial Day! Those who died for our great country would be very happy and proud at how well our country is doing today. Best economy in decades, lowest unemployment numbers for Blacks and Hispanics EVER (& women in 18years), rebuilding our Military and so much more. Nice! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2018

A progressive veterans' advocacy group, VoteVets, called the tweet "appalling" and "the most inappropriate" message a president had ever made on the holiday, which is meant to honor fallen U.S. service members.