Brunswick Beacon, 06.20.24
Memorial Day and D-Day’s 80th Anniversary brought renewed attention to Donald Trump telling his staff that fallen heroes were “losers” and “suckers.” Trump’s insults are especially disgusting because he wants to be Commander-in-Chief. In contrast, President Biden’s dignity at Normandy’s D-Day Memorial reminded us how a real Commander-in-Chief behaves.
The truth hurt, so Trump denied it: “Unless you’re psycho or a crazy person or a very stupid person, who would say that anyway?” Trump blamed the reports on “the fascist scum that is destroying our country.”
But the source Trump labelled “fascist scum” is John Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving Chief-of-Staff.
Kelly called Trump: “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 that has no idea what America stands for and has no idea what America is all about. A person who admires autocrats and murderous dictators. A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.”
Kelly supported Trump's removal from office for inciting the Jan.6 insurrection, which Kelly called “a direct result of his poisoning the minds of people with the lies and the frauds.”
Kelly retired a four-star Marine General after 47 years of service. Trump’s willingness to call Kelly “fascist scum” makes it entirely believable that Trump called fallen heroes “losers” and “suckers.”
As a Vietnam Veteran, I can’t understand how any veteran can vote for a man who holds those who served in such contempt. I love my country, its ideals and beliefs. I hope my fellow veterans will not allow Trump to ever be our president again.
Rich Cooper
Leland