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The curious non-defense of Trump's reported contempt for the military
Link to tweet
Much has been made over the past week of the private comments President Trump reportedly made evidencing his contempt for the military, especially for those injured, captured or killed. But nearly as damning are the comments Trump has made in public.
Consider Trump’s insistence, following the Iranian strike on U.S. troops in January, that there were no injuries. Confronted with evidence of 11 servicemen evacuated (from a total of 34 cases) with traumatic brain injuries, Trump replied, “I heard that they had headaches, and a couple of other things. But I would say, and I can report, that it is not very serious.”
At the time, the Veterans of Foreign Wars denounced Trump’s remarks: “In light of today’s announcement from the defense department that 34 U.S. service members suffered traumatic brain injuries as a result of Iran’s retaliatory strike and President Trump’s remarks which minimized these troops’ injuries, the Veterans of Foreign Wars cannot stand idle on this matter,” the VFW wrote. “TBI is a serious injury and one that cannot be taken lightly. TBI is known to cause depression, memory loss, severe headaches, dizziness and fatigue — all injuries that come with both short- and long-term effects.” The statement continued: “The VFW expects an apology from the president to our service men and women for his misguided remarks. And, we ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times. Our warriors require our full support more than ever in this challenging environment.”
Trump never apologized. He never apologizes for anything.
Let’s also not forget that Trump publicly declared that John McCain, who suffered five years of torture, was not a war hero. “I like people who weren’t captured,” he said. “I don’t like losers.” Since then, Trump could never bring himself to acknowledge McCain’s bravery, a telling sign of his disdain for those “suckers” who serve and suffer on behalf of their country.
*snip*