Trump issues statement from Gold Star families defending Arlington Cemetery visit

The Democrats over-emotional responses backfired again.

Breaking the law to honor vets who wish he would take a hike? Nice. Did he serve?

Trump thanked the family members for their statement via social media. “Thank you for saying you wanted me to stand with you ... and take pictures, that it was your request, not mine,” he wrote.

MAGA campaign worked overtime to find Gold Star families from the Trump 2024 donor rolls and Truth Social logins.

Meanwhile many Gold Star families remember Trump is a repeat offender and fraudulent recidivist.

https://vva.org/press-releases/vva-trumps-attack-on-gold-star-family-is-disgraceful-and-un-american/

Gold Star Families don’t set the terms of a visit. ANC does. Because there are OTHER Gold Star families that might (don’t) want campaign photos taken near their fallen heros.

Jik7Y

The Democrats over-emotional responses backfired again.

Democrats aren't responding, veteran's are, and they aren't happy.

“President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children's deaths,” said the relatives' joint statement. “He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”

And that's all fine, if that was all he did. That is not in question.

What he did that people are disgusted about, is turn this into a campaign advert on TikTok.

The more he tries to make excuses, the more he digs a deeper hole.

A current reaction 2024:

https://www.recorder.com/Letter-to-the-editor-54450247

Reactions about similar points in 2020

https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/opinion/columns/2020/02/12/president-bone-spur-has-no/1724792007/

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/08/trump-mocked-us-military-troops-losers-whole-life/

There does seem to be something familiar to a lot of vets in his recent fakey visit, and it isn't patriotism, no matter how many flags he waves.

Visiting - GREAT! (BTW, where were you the other 2 years? Why is this a big deal to you in an election year? Surely that’s just a coincidence…)

Accepting a request to visit a grave privately - Also GREAT!(Big smile and thumbs up AT A CEMETERY was a real scumbag move).

Taking along the camera crew that you “just happened to have handy”, filming other graves, lying about your record (11 service members died in Afghanistan under his watch and the 18 months in which he said “we didn’t lose anybody” includes 6 months of Biden’s tenure),, Narcissistic Personality Disorder move. Seriously, there’s something wrong with this guy.

Ignoring the clear instructions of federal law and a ANC employee, shoving her aside, calling her “mentally unstable” and implying she should be fired. Scumbag desecration of sacred ground.

Putting the video complete with over-dubbed lies and music (most likely uncredited, but that’s the LEAST bad thing here) on Tic Toc - total depravity. Sick, Disgusting, Unthinkable.

Throwing the Gold Star family of the people you call “losers and suckers” under the bus “It wasn’t me. They invited me!” Whining sociopath face.

Zero empathy. Zero morals. Utter sociopathy. Willing to desecrate sacred ground for political gain.

That’s MAGA THATS TRUMP

There does seem to be something familiar to a lot of vets in his recent fakey visit, and it isn't patriotism, no matter how many flags he waves

Or gropes…

So, the Gold Star families look at Harris with contempt.

Now, why is that?

The families may think that Trump was there to honour the fallen, but for him it was nothing more than a photo opportunity. We know he didn't care about those "suckers" who gave their lives for their country.

“He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”

Somebody twisted this into a political ploy, and it sure as hell wasn't VP Harris.

The footage has been used as a campaign ad for Trump on TikTok. That's political, it's illegal, and it's not Harris' doing.

Duh.

One wonders how many buckets of KFC it took to settle his stomach after appearing with wounded vets that in his words “nobody wants to see” and didn’t want invited to parades?

Trump was on record calling the military suckers and pows losers. Now his team assaults the woman staff at Arlington Cemetery for enforcing a no photo policy in the zone where veterans are buried. Trump does all of this for a sleazy photo op.

Trump is PATHETIC and the people are watching.

Chris LaCivita, referring to military spokespersons as “hacks.”

Disrespecting the military for not kissing Trump's rear end.

What a patriot.

JJE

So, the Gold Star families look at Harris with contempt.

These particular Gold Star families? They are just helping out Trump. Others, not so much.

Now, why is that?

Because Trump asked them to go along with this press release. We know that these families are in the bag for Trump, so it probably wasn't difficult.

But it isn't the common opinion. Veterans have widely slammed Trump for this shameful act.

Declaring what aggrieved families "may think" is beyond the pale.

During Biden's State of the Union address, one of the fathers yelled out "remember Abbey Gate". They chucked him out in cuffs. He and them have every right to voice their opinion.

No quarter has a right to tell them what they should think.

“Suckers and losers”

Declaring what aggrieved families "may think" is beyond the pale.

It’s called the rules (laws actually) that keep the ground sacred for all. Not just THESE families.

Shouldn’t you be over defending Putin’s virility and massaging his prostate on a different article?

Why are Gold Star families slamming Harris? (no direct answer yet).

They said she lacks empathy, amongst a torrent of criticism.

Trump hates dead, captured and injured veterans because according to him they “lost” and are therefore losers. These are the words straight from trump’s mouth. Nasty.

Donald Trump's campaign issued a statement Sunday from the Gold Star military families who invited him to Arlington National Cemetery as they defended the Republican presidential nominee and insisted that Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate politicizing fallen U.S. service members.

Another example of the depth of the MAGA-cult...

These poor families, after having suffered the loss of a loved one, invite Trump to their ceremony at Arlington, which Trump then perverts and turns into a clearly illegal campaign ad, and when Trump is confronted with his illegal activity, he cowardly blames the families for posting the pictures/video - SOMETHING HIS OWN CAMPIAGN MANAGER DID....

"Video of the visit posted by the Trump campaign on TikTok earlier this week showed the former president walking through Arlington and visiting grave sites, with audio of him criticizing the Biden administration’s management of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Trump campaign staffers posted multiple pictures and videos of Trump visiting Arlington Cemetery. In one video posted by Trump campaign's senior adviser Chris LaCivita, Trump can be seen laying flowers on the grave of Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss.

"CFR 32 553 states that "Memorial services and ceremonies at Army National Military Cemeteries will not include partisan political activities."

These poor families are so blinded they can't see how they're being used and manipulated...just like the MAGA-fans here trying, and failing, to excuse this crime...

Why are Gold Star families slamming Harris? (no direct answer yet).

They said she lacks empathy, amongst a torrent of criticism.

As long as she’s not openly disrespecting the military like Trump, she is already miles ahead of him.

He openly disrespects the military. He’s also a man who dodged the draft with daddy’s money.

How many gold star families?

Oh, only some.

How many gold star families have criticized 45?

Oh, a lot.

Can’t walk it back now.

JJEToday  08:05 am JST

Why are Gold Star families slamming Harris? (no direct answer yet).

Because some of them support Donald Trump?

Any families defending trump don’t speak for those who are publicly disagreeing with his publicity stunt.

This whole debacle just plays more into the Democrats favour. The more people realize how much trump hates the military, the better.

Trump is a sociopath, incapable of feeling empathy for anyone,can MAGA name one thing redemning about Trump

Why are Gold Star families slamming Harris?

Because they’re angry and in the tank for Trump.

THESE Gold Star Families have an opinion, but it doesn’t change the FACT that making political campaign ads at Arlington is against the law.

It’s absolutely preposterous that this needs to be spelled out day after day. The issue is so obvious!

Why are Gold Star families standing with DJT? (there will be no direct answer).

If the families invite people to the grave, it overrides the silly federal law quoted.

He knows them, their names and extended family. He has always been in contact and always will. He listened to them. He calls them up. He understands.

If the families invite people to the grave, it overrides the silly federal law quoted.

Only according to Russian sensibilities. You guys aren’t known for ethics or morality though.

What a coincidence that all the families of the thirteen victims support Trump.

Statistical anomaly.

What a coincidence that all the families of the thirteen victims support Trump.

And they don’t speak for the thousands of families that have members interned there and hate trump.

If the families invite people to the grave, it overrides the silly federal law quoted.

Some silly law, huh. If you invite me into your home I am then entitled to take your valuables. You invited me in and negated the silly law about theft.

Does this make sense to anyone down in MAGA land?

Ask a vet how he sees this. I'm a vet. I'm appalled and disgusted that Trump broke some silly federal law. Law. It's the LAW.

Biden and Harris masterfully followed through on trumps reckless agreement with the afghanis to leave the country.

imagine if trump was still in charge when it happened. Yikes.

Why are Gold Star families standing with DJT? (there will be no direct answer).

Answer: A FEW Gold Star families, those already indoctrinated into the MAGA-cult, defend Trump - even after he betrayed and blamed THEM for HIS CRIME...

If the families invite people to the grave, it overrides the silly federal law quoted.

"Hey Carl, lets invite some bank employees and go rob the neighborhood bank - since we invited them, it overrides the federal bank robbery law"....

tHe knows them, their names and extended family. He has always been in contact and always will. He listened to them. He calls them up. He understands.

He manipulated and abused them...just like he is doing to YOU...and all the MAGA-supporters posting here....

Or maybe you like being referred to as a "basement dweller"...

https://www.axios.com/2024/08/20/dnc-trump-stephanie-grisham

Well, MAGA, you all seem to have your knickers in a twist over Harris’s “ploy” calling Trump out on his politicizing an event, but not at all over Trump’s actual politicizing an event………

If that’s not hypocrisy, then I don’t know what is.

The Democrats over-emotional responses backfired again.

As usual, back to the drawing board for them. Let them hash and go nuts, that helps Trump

Itso,how many more American you want to die in Afghanistan,pick a number,no American service personnel is dying now in Afghanistan

"Some 65 American service members died in combat while serving Trump during his time in the White House office from January 2017 to January 2021. There were fatalities every year of his presidency, according to the "hostile action" records compiled by the Defense Casualty Analysis System (DCAS), which is maintained by a government defense agency.

Of those 65 deaths, there were 45 combat deaths reported in Afghanistan alone, according to the Associated Press."

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-biden-troops-killed-soldier-deaths-record-1864956

The withdrawal deal had flaws.

However it was the only deal solution on the table. It kept  Bagram open the only secure escape route.

American were left stranded. Afghans that provided valuable support, risking there lives were betrayed, left to be slowly tortured to death, families brutally murdered in front of them.

itsonlyrocknrollToday  08:24 am JST

No John Kamala Harris foolishly reneged on the deal that Trump negotiated, guaranteeing a safe and orderly withdrawal.

Nope, that was Trump’s deal.

Biden kept it although I think he should have broken it. Harris may have been the last person in the room but it was Biden’s decision.

And you can stick your supposed moral superiority in a bodily orifice.

You carry water for a morally repugnant sociopath and try to bum it off as an “alternate interpretation.”

Trump is a scumbag who used hallowed ground to politicize suffering.

Now he’s hiding behind the skirts of the families he used as props because he’s caught out and he’s an utter coward.

I wonder how much trump paid these families for this photo op.

As usual, back to the drawing board for them. Let them hash and go nuts, that helps Trump

MAGA rule #1 : never admit Trump did anything wrong, even when you know he did. Just dig in your heels and whine about Dems, libs, the left, etc.

BTW, this doesn’t help Trump. MAGA cultists have already vowed to follow their savior off a cliff if need be.

The withdrawal deal had flaws.

Like established timelines without conditions on the ground in direct contradiction to his advisors’ warnings.

Like cutting the Afghan government out of the negotiating process and not consulting them in any way.

Like cutting loose 6,000 Taliban fighters back to the battlefield.

Thats the deal Don the con, “the world’s greatest deal maker” made.

And now he campaigns off the logical outcomes of the deal he made.

Using American war dead and their families as props in his ads.

Its depraved.

And this one carries water for it.

Disrespecting the military for not kissing Trump's rear end.

What a patriot.

Not showing up to a memorial of people that died due to your errors is extremely heartless. Especially ignoring their phone calls. Kamala has a thing for that though.

Of those 65 deaths, there were 45 combat deaths reported in Afghanistan alone, according to the Associated Press."

Now please get into the war deaths among the previous administration.

I personally think he should double down and do it again.

Not showing up to a memorial of people that died due to your errors is extremely heartless.

MAGA rule #2 : change the topic.

The issue is Team Trump using the ceremony to create a campaign ad. Which is illegal, no matter how much you deflect.

The headline is misleading. It was the families themselves that corrected the false media narrative by pointing out that they had invited both Trump as well as Harris and Biden to attend. Of the invitees, only Trump attended, the others stayed away.

The media instead (unsurprisingly) turned this into a Trump bashing story, claiming that Trump had used the event as propaganda.

That the Trump campaign points this out is only natural. But once again, the media tries to deflect.

"The former president was extremely respectful to the suckers and losers"

The good news is that the Media with the exception of the far right extremist fake news MSM is reporting on how trump is disrespectful of the military.

It makes him look really bad which is good.

Yrral

Of course no more American casualties.

Look at the mayhem left behind he reality of such a cowardly withdrawal

Women in Afghanistan: The Back Story

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/womens-rights-afghanistan-history

This is a another sanitized version.

UN Women deeply concerned by new Afghanistan morality law

https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/statement/2024/08/un-women-deeply-concerned-by-new-afghanistan-morality-law

I wonder how much trump paid these families for this photo op.

Why would he do that when he could just get someone from his campaign to threaten them? According to a valuable source, one of Trump's security detail was caught on camera and hot mic telling the woman that "you'd better say the following things, or something very bad will happen"

(I can play the MAGA "baseless accusation" game too! This is fun!)

When Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, near Paris, in 2018, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that “the helicopter couldn’t fly” and that the Secret Service wouldn’t drive him there. Neither claim was true.

He dodged the draft.

The people who worked with him know- “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – John Kelly, former Trump Whitehouse Chief of Staff

The defense of Trump’s disgusting political opportunism is purely performative. We all know his history.

The Democrats over-emotional responses backfired again.

wrong veterans are respoding and even the Army issued a rare statement, no theyre not happy.

the only reason they considered the matter closed is the cemetery worker decided not to press charges through fear of retribution, not because she thought it was a non issue

The issue is Team Trump using the ceremony to create a campaign ad. Which is illegal, no matter how much you deflect.

Notice it is always "changing the topic" or "deflecting" if it is something you disagree with? I am pretty sure I was on-topic with the article-

“Why won't you return a call and explain how you call my daughter-in-law's death a success?” Shamblin said. “Why would you take a day where we celebrated the deaths of our loved ones and use it to disparage not only them, but us.”

itsonlyrocknroll

what still remains is you need to question Kamala Harris, the advisers, consultants underlining political motivation, to weaponize such valour and sacrifice

She isn't weaponizing valor and sacrifice. She isn't commenting at all on fallen soldiers.

She is merely pointing out that Trump's political campaign stunt at Arlington was disrespectful.

Can you see how that was disrespectful? Or can't you see that?

Kamala Harris, the advisers, consultants underlining political motivation, to weaponize such valour and sacrifice.

oh I didnt see Harris do a photo shoot over the graves of the 63 service members to die in Afganistan under Trump.

Actually I didnt even see Trump do photo shoot over those same members, purely political, he decided to just visit the site of those that died under Biden. Apart from being illegal, its also disrespectful to those that died while he was president

As usual, back to the drawing board for them. Let them hash and go nuts, that helps Trump

actually recent polls show his cemetery fiasco is actually hurting him. The Army itself is not happy with his actions

Notice it is always "changing the topic" or "deflecting" if it is something you disagree with? I am pretty sure I was on-topic with the article-

“Why won't you return a call and explain how you call my daughter-in-law's death a success?” Shamblin said. “Why would you take a day where we celebrated the deaths of our loved ones and use it to disparage not only them, but us.”

Logic is never the MAGA forte. There are sins of omission and commission. Usually the ones of commission are more relevant.

(Washington, DC) – Vietnam Veterans of America is a non-partisan, war-time veterans’ membership and service organization that does not endorse or support political candidates at any level. “However, we cannot remain silent when a Gold Star family member is being publicly denigrated, ” said John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America. “It is especially reprehensible when that individual is seeking to become the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of our nation. To lash out and disparage a family whose son gave his life defending this country is both shocking and disgraceful, ” said Rowan. And though Trump may never have spent a day in uniform, his disdain for the sacrifice of this young man and all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Constitution is singularly un-American.”

Those military members who condemned Trump's behaviour at the cemetery: "Suckers and losers"

Those who (were paid to) condone it: "Real American Heroes!"

Who would vote for this draft dodger who call U.S. servicemen/women who've sacrificed their lives for their country suckers and losers?

Who would vote for this draft dodger who call U.S. servicemen/women who've sacrificed their lives for their country **suckers and losers?**

1) People whose cognitive dissonance has overtaken their rational mind

2) People who would probably literally rather die than vote for a democrat

Probably quite a lot of overlap there.

MAGA rule #1 : never admit Trump did anything wrong, even when you know he did. Just dig in your heels and whine about Dems, libs, the left, etc. 

Why admit to something if you don’t think it’s true, that’s just dumb.

BTW, this doesn’t help Trump.

Oh, yes it does

MAGA cultists have already vowed to follow their savior off a cliff if need be.

Libs as well for their hatred of Trump they would hold it and jump off a cliff as well.

These families do not speak for everyone. The majority have condemned the stunt and see through attempts to backpedal.

45 has a long history of attacking gold star families. Sure he has some supporters among them but they are a minority as are all his supporters.

Complaining that there is too much hatred for the man is akin to complaining that there is too much sky. It’s there because it’s there.

The left only shows what they want you to see. This is why people don’t trust or listen to them. They only believe in censoring

https://x.com/catturd2/status/1830200144186245288?s=46&t=YGWP_lcRZjddiWlx4QxURQ

https://x.com/catturd2/status/1830200144186245288?s=46&t=YGWP_lcRZjddiWlx4QxURQ

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/catturd2-maga-twitter-shitposting-king-1234674671/

Very eloquent, reasoned support for the candidacy of DJT and why he is superior to all other politicians.

MAGA always the best sources, the truthiest truths.

Do Gold Star families have a right to invite people to the graves of their own?

Loaded question: the only answer is an unequivocal yes.

“ President Trump, on the other hand, has been the only Commander–in–Chief to consistently recognize the heroism of our children. His attendance at Arlington was not for political gain but to stand with us, to grieve with us, and to honor the legacy of those who gave everything for this nation. His leadership during his time in office was strong, and we have no doubt that if he were still Commander–in–Chief, our children would be alive today. “

—

Mark Schmitz, Father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz: “ Why did we want Trump there? It wasn’t to help his political campaign. We wanted a leader — that explains why you and Joe didn’t get a call. Imagine for a second that your kid is killed. There’s a president in the United States willing to take you under his wing and listen to you. That’s what we found in President Trump, certainly not you, and certainly not Joe Biden. “

—

Kamala is far from having the same level of confidence, competence and leadership skills as Donald Trump (this became even more clear after that “interview”)—last time I checked, these are requirements for the number one job in the free world (you can say what you want about Donald Trump, (but) you cannot deny this simple fact).

Do Gold Star families have a right to invite people to the graves of their own?

Yes.

Do they have a right to film it for political reasons?

No. It’s prohibited.

Do Gold Star families have a right to invite people to the graves of their own?

Yes. If Trump had been respectful and not broken the law while being a guest there, there wouldn't have been a problem.

Only weird people, MAGA and Russians, have a hard time understanding this.

rcch

“ President Trump, on the other hand, has been the only Commander–in–Chief to consistently recognize the heroism of our children. His attendance at Arlington was not for political gain but to stand with us, to grieve with us, and to honor the legacy of those who gave everything for this nation.

How sadly naive. No, Trump wasn't there for you. He was there for himself and his campaign.

Mark Schmitz, Father of Lance Corporal Jared M. Schmitz: “ Why did we want Trump there? It wasn’t to help his political campaign.

Unfortunately, for Trump, it was. Sorry.

I love it that the Harris campaign waited until the news cycle on this was almost over before speaking on it and making trump defend himself again.

The more news cycles they can keep this in the forefront of peoples minds, the better.

maga’s usual defence for a crime is “somebody else also did it at some point in history”.

Got to give them points for inventiveness, “I was invited” Is a new one.

Very eloquent, reasoned support for the candidacy of DJT and why he is superior to all other politicians. 

Not sure what that has to do with the families excoriating this administration, and rightfully so might I add.

MAGA always the best sources, the truthiest truths.

Wait….but the left are the prevailing group for upholding the truth honesty and decency??? My God, who told you this??? ROFL!

Tell the US Army that, then.

They did

JJE

Observing the memory of sons and daughters who had to die is a sacred duty. The Gold Star families have every right under the sun to invite anyone there they see fit and film it as much as they want - and express their feelings.

Sure.

Unfortunately, the Gold Star families were played by Trump as he used their memorial to film a campaign advert.

Not sure what that has to do with the families excoriating this administration, and rightfully so might I add.

It is going into the sources of regular MAGA disinfo on this and every topic so is extremely relevant.

Some families support Trump, most rightfully don't.

End of story.

What a stupid mistake by Harris to criticize Trump here when she rejected the invitation to attend the ceremony, probably because she feared a reaction there, knowing Biden’s presidency was responsible for the operation in which these people died.

Corey

What a stupid mistake by Harris to criticize Trump here when she rejected the invitation to attend the ceremony, probably because she feared a reaction there, knowing Biden’s presidency was responsible for the operation in which these people died.

Well, the main reason Harris didn't attend the ceremony was that neither she, nor Biden, were invited to attend.

But to criticize Trump for taking a memorial ceremony and turn it into a campaign ad wasn't a mistake, Trump has to take accountability for the shameful act.

Can you imagine the revisionism which we'll see if, heaven help us all, Trump does win in November? The official White House bio will be like "President Trump served his country valiantly in several wars. Many people are saying that he single handedly defeated the vietcong, and that he would have jumped on a grenade to save his men. He did, in fact. Twice. His rock hard abs saved him, and his men said, with tears in their eyes, "Sir, you have the best abs. Nobody has abs like you". President Trump went on to broker world peace among all the countries of the world, and that was just on his lunch break".