It’s a shame this story has become a he said/she said about politicians rather than a story about an American hero who lost his life in the line of duty while leaving behind a wife and children.
But it has.
It turns out, White House Chief of Staff John Kelly was present in the room when President Trump made a call to the widow of slain U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson.
Democrat Rep. Frederica Wilson, who was traveling with the family at the time, claimed Trump told Myeshia Johnson that her 25-year-old husband ‘knew what he signed up for … but when it happens it hurts anyway.’
The President denied such an accusation, while Wilson continued to double down and a family member eventually said she was correct.
Kelly, according to White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, heard the other end of the conversation however, and believes the conversation was “completely appropriate” and “respectful.”
Says Gen Kelly present for the call to soldier’s widow; thought call was respectful & pres did best he could to offer nation’s condolences. pic.twitter.com/GjGKCd1rk4
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 18, 2017
“Gen. Kelly was present for the call and thought it was completely appropriate,” Sanders claims. “He thought the call was respectful and he thought that the president did the best job he could under those circumstances to offer condolences on the part of the country.”
The problem here is that Wilson jumped on the comments, something even CNN’s Alisyn Camerota said may have been her own ‘interpretation’ of a conversation she readily admits she didn’t hear in its entirety. She wanted to politicize it to score points with her base.
The President, as he’s known to do, defended himself, and launched a back and forth that has now taken focus off the man who gave his life, and the family he left behind.
The only way to resolve this it seems, is if there were a recording of the conversation, something Sanders said does not exist.
Sarah Sanders says no recording exists of Trump’s conversation with soldier’s widow; adds others were in the room, including Gen. John Kelly pic.twitter.com/ZfIwg3YnOZ
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 18, 2017
It’s time Wilson drops the matter and stops trying to get a rise out of her base at the expense of a fallen soldier.
Who do you believe – Frederica Wilson or General Kelly? Share your thoughts below!
