Criminal defendant Donald Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, has made a statement claiming that the former president did, in fact, call wounded and dead veterans “losers” and “suckers.”
A Damning Statement
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Kelly made the damning statement to CNN. He wrote: “What can I add that has not already been said? A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as [prisoners of war] are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’”
Embarrassed by Amputees
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Kelly then backed up claims that Trump didn’t want amputees at a White House military event in 2018. He continued: “A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’”
Calling the Dead “Losers”
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Kelly claims he directly witnessed many of the events he’s verifying. He added: “A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.”
God Help Us
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Kelly went on to claim that Trump lied about his stance on important issues such as abortion but did not offer further details on the matter. “God help us,” he concluded, conveying a fear shared by thousands of Americans regarding a future under the criminal defendant’s rule.
Disdain for Disabled People
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Trump’s disdain for disabled veterans hasn’t exactly been kept secret over the years. “Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded,” he allegedly said to Mark Milley in response to veteran Luis Avila, who had been asked to sing “God Bless America” at Milley’s welcome event in Virginia, struggling with his wheelchair.
Memorial Day 2017
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According to The Atlantic, Trump also made some insensitive comments at a 2017 Memorial Day service. This time, he was speaking to John Kelly. “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” he allegedly asked. The pair laid flowers on Robert Michael Kennedy’s grave. Kennedy, Kelly’s son, was killed in Afghanistan.
Prisoners of War
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Trump has also made some controversial comments about prisoners of war, including public comments about Sen. John McCain, who was a Vietnam prisoner. “He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured,” Trump said.
Dodging the Draft
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According to The Atlantic, Trump commonly referred to McCain as a “loser.” Moreover, he used the same word to describe President George H. W. Bush, a World War II veteran whose plane was shot down. The criminal defendant dodged the draft five times.
Contempt for the Rule of Law
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In his CNN statement, Kelly also referred to Trump as a “person that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about.” He continued: “A person who cavalierly suggests that a selfless warrior who has served his country for 40 years in peacetime and war should lose his life for treason – in expectation that someone will take action. A person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.”
Hitler and Putin
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Throughout his time in office, Trump was criticized for his praise and admiration for far-right authoritarian dictators like Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un. The criminal defendant’s methods and ideals have also been compared to those of Adolf Hitler. “There is nothing more that can be said,” Kelly wrote.
The Internet’s Response
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News of Kelly’s statement was shared across social media, and, for the most part, people weren’t surprised. One commenter wrote: “This isn’t anything new. Hell, the McCain squabble put it all on display. I don’t understand anyone who’d think he was a decent person, let alone a decent president.”
A Broken America
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Another person wrote: “It’s hard to explain, but I’m all out of rage right now, you know? I’m deeply sad, I’m sort of scared, and I am just mystified how these terrible things he says bump his polls – every time. Something in America is incredibly broken.”
The GOP’s Moral Backbone
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Others discussed McCain. One such individual said: “McCain was the moral backbone of the Republican Party. He would lean on people from either the Senate or the House to get them to do the right thing. They became dependent on him, and there was nobody to replace him. Trump flourished in that environment when McCain passed away.”
The Big Issue
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The commenter continued: “The big issue with the country today is the Republicans refuse to take out their own trash. Own up to the hit on the election side. Now, the onus is placed on the Democrats and the federal government. If the Republicans would’ve found Trump guilty in Congress, none of this [garbage] would be happening.”
The All-Time Draft Dodger
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Others discussed Trump’s draft-dodging tendencies. One person said: “Trump is the all-time draft dodger. Mouth of a lion and heart of a coward. How anyone who has ever served in the military or is in a military family could ever give the Orange Blunder, even one drop of consideration is beyond me. Never have I met a man worth disrespecting more than Trump.”
A Threat to National Security
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Another commenter wrote: “Trump is possibly the biggest threat to national security the U.S. has ever seen. The fact that he is still a free man is mind-blowing. The justice system needs to step up their game quickly.”
A Lack of Integrity
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A fair few commenters questioned why Kelly didn’t speak out sooner. “Nice to see you have a spine now, only after the winds have changed. Where was your integrity and honor in the moment?” one individual said.
History Will Judge Them
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Echoing the aforementioned commenter, another person wrote: “To all these people who were in Trump’s administration, who stood by him and did his bidding, and now come out with your books and your stories – you turned your head and went your merry way while this monster tried to destroy this country. You have no shame. You could have done something, and you didn’t. History will judge you. Your grandchildren will be ashamed.”
12 Ways the World Suffered from Trump’s Reckless Moves
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Donald Trump, a name that evokes a spectrum of responses, has undeniably left an enduring impact on the global stage. Even before his stint as the 45th President of the United States, Trump was synonymous with controversy and polarization. His bold personality and unvarnished communication approach have garnered ardent supporters and vehement detractors.
12 Ways the World Suffered from Trump’s Reckless Moves
Trump’s Hit List: 18 Brands That Incited the Wrath of the Former President
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Public figures, in many instances, possess the considerable ability to shape and sway public sentiment, and this extends to former U.S. President Donald Trump, without a doubt. His comments, whether expressed through social media or in interviews, can exert substantial influence on consumer sentiment and, in turn, potentially impact sales. While it’s important to note that not every criticism he has voiced has resulted in boycotts or significant stock price fluctuations, it’s undeniable that these remarks consistently garner substantial media attention. In the following article, we delve into 18 instances where various brands have come under the critical gaze of Donald Trump.
Trump’s Hit List: 18 Brands That Incited the Wrath of the Former President
