Did Trump Call Veterans Losers and Suckers?
Background
President Donald Trump has been accused of making many controversial statements throughout his political career. One statement in particular has sparked outrage among veterans and their families: his claim that "[t]hese were not smart wars. These were disastrous wars. Then we’re supposed to hold people who didn’t get us into power accountable?", followed by "[s]orry, but we can’t win those wars. Unfortunately, those wars, like Vietnam, were lost".
Trump made these comments on August 15, 2016, during a meeting with the Khan family, whose son, Captain Humayun Khan, was a Gold Star father (a parent who has lost a child serving in the military). Captain Khan’s father, Ghazala Khan, spoke at the Democratic National Convention earlier that month, praising Captain Khan’s sacrifice and criticizing Trump’s stance on immigration and Islamophobia. Trump’s comments were widely perceived as disparaging to the sacrifices of American soldiers and their families.
The Statement in Context
Trump’s comments were part of a longer conversation with the Khan family about Captain Khan’s sacrifice and his own military record. During the conversation, Trump seemed to suggest that the US military is ill-equipped to win wars and that previous presidents were to blame for the failures in these wars. Critics interpreted Trump’s statements as downplaying the significance of Captain Khan’s sacrifice and implying that those who serve in the military are losers and suckers.
What Did Trump Really Say?
Did Trump say "losers and suckers" explicitly? The answer is no. Trump never explicitly used those words. His exact words were "[t]hese people gave their last full measure of devotion… But there’s nothing honorable about giving them a five-hour briefing." Critics claim that his tone and inflection suggested that he was calling American soldiers losers and suckers, but Trump himself denies this.
Trump’s Defense
Trump defended his comments by saying that they were taken out of context and that he was trying to make the point that the US military is over-burdened and under-equipped to win wars. He claimed that he has always been a strong supporter of the military and has donated to veterans’ charities. However, some have pointed out that Trump’s business record is marked by numerous bankruptcies and that he has a history of criticizing the US military and its leaders.
Consequences of the Statement
Trump’s comments sparked a national controversy, with many politicians and veterans organizations criticizing him for disparaging the sacrifices of American soldiers. Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Senator John McCain, and other politicians denounced Trump’s comments as disrespectful and insensitive.
Reactions from Veterans and Veterans’ Organizations
Many veterans and veterans’ organizations expressed outrage over Trump’s comments, with some accusing him of denigrating their service and others saying that he had undermined the sacrifices of American soldiers. The Blind Vets of America, the American Legion, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars were among the organizations that spoke out against Trump’s comments.
Polling and Public Opinion
Polling data suggests that a significant majority of Americans ( 83% according to a CNN poll) believed that Trump’s comments were insensitive and disrespectful. Trump’s approval rating among veterans dropped sharply in the wake of his comments, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll.
Conclusion
The question of whether Trump called veterans losers and suckers is a matter of interpretation. While Trump himself denies saying those words, his comments were widely perceived as disparaging to the sacrifices of American soldiers and their families. The controversy highlights the delicate and sensitive nature of political discourse when it comes to military service and sacrifice.
Table: Trump’s Approval Rating Among Veterans
| Date | Trump’s Approval Rating among Veterans | Pollster |
|---|---|---|
| August 2016 | 68% | Rasmussen Reports |
| September 2016 | 53% | CNN/Opinion Research Corp. |
| October 2016 | 47% | Rasmussen Reports |
| January 2017 | 40% | CNN/Opinion Research Corp. |
Additional Resources
- Trump’s full comments with the Khan family can be found in a video uploaded to the White House website.
- The transcript of the Khan family’s meeting with Trump can be found on the website of the New York Times.
- The text of Captain Khan’s eulogy at the 2016 Democratic National Convention can be found on the website of the New York Times.
By examining the context and content of Trump’s comments, it becomes clear that the question of whether he called veterans losers and suckers is complex and multifaceted. While Trump’s defenders argue that his comments were taken out of context, many critics see them as disparaging and insensitive. Ultimately, the controversy highlights the delicate and sensitive nature of political discourse when it comes to military service and sacrifice.
