Trump under fire

US President denies he disrespected dead soldier’s family

US President Donald Trump has emphatically denied claims that he was disrespectful to the grieving family of a slain soldier, as the political firestorm spread into a third contentious day.

“I have proof,” he insisted. The controversy over how Mr Trump has conducted one of the most sacred of presidential tasks generated new turmoil in the White House.

After one slain soldier’s father accused the president of going back on a promise to send a cheque for $US25,000 ($31,818), the White House said the money had been sent.

Chief of staff John Kelly, a retired Marine general whose son was killed in Afghanistan, was left angry and frustrated at the way the issue had become politicised.

The aunt of an army sergeant killed in Niger, who raised the soldier, said yesterday that Mr Trump had shown “disrespect” to the soldier’s loved ones as he phoned them to extend condolences as they drove to the Miami airport to receive his body.

Sergeant La David Johnson was one of four American soldiers killed nearly two weeks ago; Mr Trump called the families on Wednesday.

Frederica Wilson, a Florida Democrat who was in the car with Sgt Johnson’s family, said in an interview that Mr Trump had told the widow that “you know that this could happen when you signed up for it … but it still hurts.”

He also referred to Sgt Johnson as “your guy”, Ms Wilson said, which the congresswoman found insensitive.

Cowanda Jones-Johnson said the Democratic congresswoman’s account was correct.

At the airport, widow Myeshia Johnson leaned in grief across the coffin after a military guard received it.

“She was crying for the whole time,” Ms Wilson said. “And the worst part of it: When he hung up you know what she turned to me and said? She said he didn’t even remember his name.”