By Gary Bauer, 9-8-20
Predictably, the fake news media did their best to make the disgusting smear by The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg the dominant three-day news story over the Labor Day weekend. As you recall, The Atlantic alleged last week that Trump disparaged our veterans during a 2018 trip to France.
. . . At least a dozen individuals who were with the president in France have all publicly rejected Goldberg’s claims. The allegation is that these offensive remarks were said during a particular meeting. Everyone, with the exception of Gen. John Kelly, who was in that meeting has publicly denied it.
But Kelly’s top aide, Zach Fuentes, who was at the meeting, also rebuked The Atlantic story, adding, “Honestly, do you think General Kelly would have stood by and let ANYONE call fallen Marines losers?”
First Lady Melania Trump denounced the report. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo vehemently denied ever hearing the president use such rhetoric about our veterans. Jamie McCourt, the U.S. ambassador to France who was with the president virtually the entire time, denied it.
Even John Bolton, who is no fan of the president, said that The Atlantic story is “simply false.” Goldberg should either name his four sources or retract the story.
Trump’s History With Veterans
In 1983, Mayor Ed Koch needed to raise money for a memorial honoring New Yorkers who died in the Vietnam War. He called Donald Trump, who immediately wrote a $1 million check, 40% of what Koch needed. Trump’s support was key to getting other donors to step up.
In 1995, New York City almost canceled its annual Veteran’s Day parade due to a lack of funds. Organizers solicited donations from 200 corporations and walked away empty handed. Donald Trump saved the parade. Here’s what he said at the time:
“This donation is the single most important thing I’ve ever done. This is more important than all of my buildings and my casinos. This is my way of saying ‘Thank You’ to all the men and women in the Armed Services who have made it possible for me to become a success. Without them freedom and liberty would be gone.”
In January of 2016, Trump skipped a Fox News presidential primary debate and instead held a fundraiser for veterans organizations that raised $5.6 million.
In March of 2017, President Trump held the first Medal of Honor Day ceremony in the White House in 25 years.
In June of 2017, he signed the Veterans Affairs Accountability Act making it easier to fire or suspend VA employees for poor performance.
In June of 2018, Trump signed the Mission Act, greatly expanding healthcare choices for veterans.
In November of 2019, Trump became the first sitting president to attend New York City’s Veterans Day parade in its 100-year history.
These are not the actions of a man who is contemptuous of our veterans and war dead.
Excerpted from the End of Day Report, Campaign for Working Families, 9-8-20