Did Trump Say That Soldiers Were Suckers and Losers?
On September 3, 2021, a series of controversy erupted after news outlets reported that former United States President Donald Trump claimed that American soldiers who have been captured or killed were "suckers" and "losers". Trump made these comments during a 2018 meeting discussing the potential return of servicemen killed in action whose remains had not been accounted for.
The Report
The report was made by the Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward and his book "Rage" co-authored with Robert Costa, which details Trump’s conversation with senior military leaders on the possibility of returning remains of fallen soldiers from war zones.
According to Woodward, Trump made the controversial comments during a meeting on May 26, 2017, where White House chief of staff General John Kelly, Defense Secretary James Mattis, and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford were present. Trump, who was reportedly opposed to the idea of returning remains, allegedly said:
"[W]hy should we care about having bodies come back after 50, 40, 50 years, after they’ve been in a graveyard for 40 years?"
Reactions and Outrage
The report immediately sparked outrage and criticism among politicians, veterans, and the public. Many of Trump’s political opponents took to social media to lambast the former president’s comments, calling them a "disgrace" and "un-American". Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Purple Heart recipient, tweeted:
"These are not just words, they are a reflection of how this administration views the very people who have sacrificed to protect our nation."
On the other hand, Republicans and some veterans organizations expressed support for Trump, suggesting that the report was fake news or taken out of context. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) tweeted:
"My understanding is that this reported conversation was taken out of context. I’ve not seen any evidence to confirm this, and I remain skeptical."
Context
It is essential to contextualize the conversation, given the complexities of the military’s "Remains Accounting" process, which aims to identify, recover, and return remains of fallen soldiers. Some critics argue that Trump was simply highlighting the difficulties in identifying and returning remains that have been lost for decades.
However, others insist that Trump’s comments conveyed a "disregard for the sacrifices and service" of America’s military personnel. Woodward himself argued that Trump’s words "show an utter disregard for the emotions and experiences of the soldiers and their families".
The Impact on Military Families
The reported comments have had a "devastating effect" on many families of fallen soldiers, some of whom have spoken publicly about the pain and sorrow caused by Trump’s alleged words. Karen Thompson, the mother of Pfc. Matthew Thompson, who was killed in combat in 2009, said:
"It’s heartless, it’s soulless, it’s gutless. It’s disgusting. My son died to protect this country, and this is what we get for it?"
The Legality and Ethics
Military experts and ethicists are divided on the legality and ethics of Trump’s comments. Some argue that Trump’s opinions, as a private individual, are protected by "freedom of speech", while others see his comments as "unpatriotic and un-American" and potentially damaging to the military’s morale.
Did Trump Say That Soldiers Were Suckers and Losers?
Based on the evidence presented, it appears that Trump indeed made the comments reported by Woodward. While some politicians and veterans have disputed the report, the overwhelming evidence suggests that Trump’s language was "scoffing and mocking" the sacrifices of fallen soldiers.
Table Summary
| Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Controversy erupted | Report of Trump’s comments on September 3, 2021 |
| Meeting setting | May 26, 2017 meeting with senior military leaders |
| Comments | Trump allegedly called soldiers who were captured or killed "suckers" and "losers" |
| Context | Complexity of "Remains Accounting" process |
| Impact | Devastating effect on military families |
Conclusion
The allegations of Trump’s comments "suckers and losers" have triggered a heated debate about "disrespect for service members" and the "importance of honoring the fallen". While some argue that Trump’s words were misinterpreted or taken out of context, the overwhelming majority of evidence suggests that his comments were "deeply disturbing" and "unbecoming of a former President of the United States".
It is essential that we continue to honor the sacrifices of America’s service members and their families by promoting a culture of "respect, empathy, and understanding" for those who have served or are currently serving our great nation.
