Former Donald Trump chief of staff John Kelly has publicly affirmed previous reports regarding the former president’s comments about military personnel. In a statement to CNN, the retired U.S. Marine Corps general described Trump as someone who regarded those who served in the military, especially those wounded or tortured, as “suckers” because he believed there was no personal gain for them.
Kelly went on to reveal that Trump avoided being seen with military amputees because he believed it would not reflect well on him. This confirmation aligns with a 2020 article by The Atlantic, which reported that Trump had questioned the sacrifices made by soldiers while visiting Arlington National Cemetery in 2017.
Notably, John Kelly’s son, Robert, lost his life at the age of 29 while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. The Atlantic had reported that Trump made these comments while standing at Robert’s gravesite during a visit to the cemetery.
In addition to these revelations, Kelly’s statement to CNN referenced other instances of Trump’s controversial remarks about the military, including his open contempt for a Gold Star family during the 2016 campaign, derogatory comments about fallen heroes, and admiration for autocrats and dictators. Kelly also expressed his view that Trump lacked an understanding of what America represents and displayed contempt for democratic institutions, the Constitution, and the rule of law.
The Trump campaign responded to Kelly’s statement by dismissing it as “debunked stories” and suggesting that Kelly was attempting to deflect blame for his performance as Chief of Staff. These developments come amid increasing legal challenges for Donald Trump, including multiple indictments and felony counts related to his business dealings and financial statements.
