Soldier’s widow says president couldn’t recall husband’s name

WASHINGTON — The widow of one of four soldiers killed in Niger went on television Monday to criticize President Donald Trump for how he spoke to her during a condolence call last week, drawing a swift denial from Trump.

Myeshia Johnson, whose husband, Sgt. La David T. Johnson, was killed early this month in an attack that is under investigation by the U.S. military, said the president had blundered through the condolence call last week, only deepening her grief because he did not seem to know her husband’s name.

“The president said, ‘He knew what he signed up for, but it hurts anyway,’ ” Johnson told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos. “It made me cry because I was very angry at the tone in his voice and how he said it.”

She said Trump’s memory seemed to falter during their exchange.

“He couldn’t remember my husband’s name,” Johnson said. “The only way he remembered my husband’s name is because he told me he had my husband’s report in front of him and that’s when he actually said ‘La David.’

Trump last week denied saying that Johnson had known what he signed up for, but John Kelly, his chief of staff told reporters that the president had said those words.

On Monday, Trump refused to back down, posting a message on Twitter that contradicted Johnson’s account after her interview was broadcast.

Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., who listened to Trump’s conversation with Johnson, criticized the president for his words.

On Monday, Johnson supported Wilson.

“Whatever Ms. Wilson said was not fabricated,” Johnson said. “What she said was 100 percent correct.”