Before a planned visit to honor the American dead at a French cemetery just outside Paris in 2018, President Trump called the U.S. service members who were buried there during World War I “losers,” sources told The Atlantic.
At the time, Trump was expected to arrive at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, but he canceled last minute, stating that due to the rain, the helicopter could not fly to the location noting that the Secret Service could not drive him.
However, according to four sources with knowledge of the incident, Trump was reluctant to travel to the cemetery because he was concerned that the rain would dishevel his hair, the Atlantic reported.
He also did not think it was important to honor the dead there, according to the sources.
“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,” Trump reportedly told aides before canceling the trip to Belleau, France.
In another conversation Trump reportedly said that the 1,800 marines who lost their lives in the battle of Belleau Wood were “suckers” for getting killed. The president reportedly asked aides about historic details about WWI, including “Who were the good guys in this war?”
Belleau Wood was a significant battle for the Allies during the First World War. There, they held off Germany advancing into France. The American Marine Corps fought there to beat back German forces.
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An American veteran who lost his arm while fighting in World War II salutes at the Lincoln Memorial: #NARA pic.twitter.com/AtyLgF06i8
— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) September 3, 2020
All the chatter so far has been about potential Trump October surprises — like a vaccine announcement. But the @JeffreyGoldberg story is a reminder that former Trump officials may be sitting on reams of damaging stories that have yet to come out.
— Blake News (@blakehounshell) September 4, 2020
The people who are trying to cast doubt on the story in @TheAtlantic forget that Trump desecrated the most sacred place in the CIA, the wall honoring fallen intelligence officers, literally within days of becoming president.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 4, 2020
Just saw @JimLaPorta on MSNBC, and he notes that one reason he set about to verify this was because he initially couldn’t believe it. https://t.co/euWL7QBnuN
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 4, 2020
It is totally in character for Trump that events requiring reverence – and which require him to shut up, which he finds impossible – would trigger his insecurities and anxieties, and make him demand assent from others that such events are needless tributes to losers.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) September 4, 2020
The @AP just confirmed the whole thing. https://t.co/xTTSk5g6oB
— howardfineman (@howardfineman) September 4, 2020
The second option is actually not a denial. https://t.co/tLUDwzdXxe
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 4, 2020
Update: a second source, specifically a senior U.S. Marine Corps officer with knowledge of President @realDonaldTrump comments confirmed the @TheAtlantic story. Here’s my copy at the @AP https://t.co/Qmq3EFxRZQ https://t.co/7o6a6a4AiO
— James LaPorta (@JimLaPorta) September 4, 2020
Trump 2020: “I never called John a loser”
Trump 2015: “John McCain is a loser” pic.twitter.com/pdySqEvKYB
— Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) September 4, 2020
Trump tonight: "I never called John a loser"
Video: Trump calling John McCain a loser pic.twitter.com/CKOBsVoBuo https://t.co/sa2lncSJcm
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) September 4, 2020
I thought Trump could no longer shock me.
I have to reassess that now.
My great-grandfather was in France with the AEF in 1918. He was a staunch Republican. He was not a loser.
I wonder what he'd make of this. I think I know. https://t.co/P0thlumLqM
— John Schindler (@20committee) September 3, 2020
Exactly.
The gauntlet is thrown down now. Trump can sue them or admit it.https://t.co/nTwX6rMMla
— John Schindler (@20committee) September 3, 2020
My great grandfather Theodore Roosevelt jr (and his brother) are buried in Normandy.
Even as sons of a president, born into privilege, they understood they had an equal obligation to serve this great nation.
There is a “loser” here, but it is not anyone buried in Normandy. https://t.co/EHo0k4jRPu
— Ted Roosevelt V (@RooseveltTed) September 4, 2020
Even before this story, lots and lots of troops had seen enough. https://t.co/kbJurD03KH https://t.co/lqiV9yEYui
— David French (@DavidAFrench) September 3, 2020
Not just a personal beef with McCain, a sincere incomprehension of the concept of sacrifice for the greater good or compassion for those who’ve suffered. https://t.co/Q4o5rstyp0
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 3, 2020
I just got through two years without my Dad a few days ago. The loss is still incredibly painful and raw. No one is more acutely aware of how vile and disgusting Trump has been to my family, it is still hard to understand – America knows who this man is…
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) September 4, 2020
Report: Trump disparaged US war dead as ‘losers,’ ‘suckers’ https://t.co/bzmgGDWKMp pic.twitter.com/iHmqmRf0Vo
— Military Times (@MilitaryTimes) September 4, 2020
The story will just be denied by Trump, the GOP and supporters. People who are first hand sources need to step up and speak out. I don’t understand why Kelly wouldn’t stand up for his dead son and just say “Yes, that is what the President said to me.” I don’t believe there is any honor in remaining silent nor obligations to the President to do so either.
Yesterday morning, we released this ad from @ProjectLincoln:https://t.co/95Sspvwaqa
It's more relevant than ever given what we're learning about Trump's contempt for those lost, wounded, or captured in combat.
cc: @FPWellman
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) September 4, 2020
He loved him so much he waited two days to lower the flag at the White House. https://t.co/g7V7mpAB7P
— Dread Pirate Roberts 🗳🌊 (@LVmike07) September 4, 2020
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