President Trump this morning denied he made an insensitive remark to the widow of slain U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson, saying he ‘knew what he signed up for.’
Johnson was killed along with three other men when militants believed to be associated with ISIS ambushed them in Niger.
The comment, made when Trump called Myeshia Johnson on Tuesday afternoon, had originally been relayed by Democrat Rep. Frederica Wilson who was traveling with the family at the time.
Wilson explained that Trump told Johnson that her 25-year-old husband ‘knew what he signed up for… but when it happens it hurts anyway.’
The conversation bw Trump and Johnson’s widow is described by a Dem congresswoman. Johnson’s widow has not spoken out directly. https://t.co/3qfLKbzvyo
— Katy Tur (@KatyTurNBC) October 18, 2017
Wilson would later add that there were several people in the car who heard his remarks.
The President, however, fired back today saying the comment was “totally fabricated” and added he had “proof” that would show otherwise.
Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2017
It wouldn’t hurt to have provided the proof immediately, as this is not a look that the President wants right now. Trump is beloved by a good portion of our military – if something is false or was taken out of context, I’m sure our fighting men and women would view it with an open mind.
One could even envision a scenario in which the President said ‘he knew what he signed up for’ followed by ‘but he courageously served regardless.’
Meanwhile, Rep. Wilson is vehemently standing by her original account.
I stand my account of the call with @realDonaldTrump and was not the only one who heard and was dismayed by his insensitive remarks.
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) October 18, 2017
Appearing on CNN, Wilson took another shot at Trump saying, “This gentleman has a brain disorder, and he needs to be checked out.”
Rep. Frederica Wilson responds: “I have proof, too. This man is a sick man. He’s cold-hearted and he feels no pity.” https://t.co/FG4NfcB9H9
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 18, 2017
Another interesting statement came out of that interview however – the fact that Wilson admits to having not heard the entire conversation.
“Well, I didn’t hear the whole phone call,” she said, “but I did hear him say I’m sure he knew what he was signing up for, but it still hurts.”
CNN’s Alisyn Camerota rightfully responded in kind that Wilson had “interpreted it as the president saying something callous in that way,” but that others could hear it “as the president trying to find some point of understanding to speak out to the widow.”
Johnson’s mother, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, told the Washington Post that Wilson’s recollection of the conversation was correct.
Johnson’s mom tells WaPo Wilson was right: “Trump did disrespect my son and my daughter and also me and my husband” https://t.co/4MdoXJuTix
— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) October 18, 2017
She declined to elaborate on what was disrespectful, but when asked if Wilson’s account of the conversation was true, responded: “Yes.”
Wilson obviously saw a chance to use the comments to score cheap political points against the President, which is a disgrace. The comments, if made, are quite insensitive.
Still, the conversation should have remained private unless the widow herself wanted to speak out.
We should be remembering the life of an American military hero, and mourning for the wife and children he left behind serving his country.
.@USArmy Sgt. La David Johnson, 1 of 4 Soldiers killed in Niger, returns home to #Florida with his pregnant widow & daughter by her side 🙏 pic.twitter.com/IyGc8kBRSi
— Jodi Mohrmann (@jodi_mohrmann) October 18, 2017
Instead, La David Johnson is being forgotten due to a political motive from the Democrat congresswoman and a President who uses social media to fight back.
Who is telling the truth? Tell us what you think below!
