Trump’s lies an insult to fallen serviceman and families
insults and lies to the family of one of the fallen.
The headlines should have been that four men – dedicated to their families and hoping to improve their lives with a career in the army – died unimaginable deaths after being ambushed by ISIS.
But following the worst military deaths since he took over the Presidency, Trump did nothing for 12 days.
When he finally spoke up, he then spread his usual lies, besmirching the actions of his predecessors when he wrongly stated they did not contact the families of the men and women lost in service.
He compounded things further when he then spoke with the widow of Sergeant La David Johnson’s telling her “he knew what he signed up for”.
This from someone who attended the private New York Military Academy as a young man only to receive five military draft deferments during the Vietnam War.
Trump, of course, denied he ever said such a thing despite there being witnesses.
When Sergeant Johnson’s grief-stricken wife Myeshia this week confirmed what he said in a television interview, adding that the most upsetting aspect was that Trump “couldn’t remember” her husband’s name, the President called her a liar.
Immediately after Myeshia spoke he tweeted: “I had a very respectful conversation with the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, and spoke his name from beginning, without hesitation.”
There is no need to doubt Mrs Johnson’s recollection, which only confirmed what Florida Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said when she revealed Trump’s words.
The President’s ‘facts’, which he claimed to have proof of, have been shown to be yet another lie on his part.
A bigger Commander-in-Chief would stand down and apologise for any hurt he may have caused. But Trump refuses. Instead, he chooses to call Mrs Johnson a deceiver.
Every time he hits back, he assaults the dignity of the presidency.
Unlike true leaders, this President seems to associate humility with weakness.
When confronted with an error, no matter how big or small, he never just says, “I’m sorry, I made a mistake, I apologise”.
Instead, he seeks to deflect responsibility. Somebody else is really at fault. Others who came before him have done worse. Bad people in the media are treating him unfairly. Sadly, it is typical Trump. He makes grand statements, which allow him to feel big and generous.
Even in interactions with Gold Star families, it’s all about him. Once having played – in his eyes – the role of comforter-in-chief, he forgets about it and goes in search of the next opportunity to further fuel his fragile ego.
No one should expect him to change while in office.
At 71, either you have compassion, self-knowledge and a conscience, or you don’t.
The only thing clear from this whole sorry saga is that one person who didn’t know “what he was signing up for” is President Trump.
Unlike true leaders, this president seems to associate humility with weakness