Donald Trump, the man who received multiple draft deferments during the Vietnam War by claiming that “bone spurs” prevented him from serving, had the absolute gall to criticize Admiral Bill McRaven, the Navy SEAL who coordinated the operation to catch Osama bin Laden, in an interview with Fox News host Chris Wallace.
Despite being reminded that McRaven has served in the military for 37 years, the president who claims to love the military and support the troops insulted the hero when Trump was asked about McRaven’s comments that the president’s attacks on the media are “the greatest threat to democracy in [his] lifetime.”
‘He’s a Hilary Clinton, uh, backer and an Obama-backer…Wouldn’t it have been nice if we got Osama Bin Laden a lot sooner than that, wouldn’t it have been nice? You know, living – think of this – living in Pakistan, beautifully in Pakistan in what I guess they considered a nice mansion, I don’t know, I’ve seen nicer. But living in Pakistan right next to the military academy.’
RT axios "Trump on retired Navy SEAL Adm. Bill McRaven, who has called the president's attacks on the press "the greatest threat to democracy."
"He's a Hillary Clinton backer and an Obama backer. And frankly, wouldn't it have been nice if we got Osa… pic.twitter.com/EH1jHDVbw9"
— Unbreakable Aggies (@UnbreakableAgs) November 18, 2018
McRaven was ready with a quick response, debunking Trump’s dishonest claims about his political leanings. He also did not back down on his previous comments that so angered the thin-skinned toddler who lives in the White House.
Via @jaketapper, Ret. Admiral William McRaven's response to Trump: "I stand by my comment that the President's attack on the media is the greatest threat to our democracy in my lifetime." pic.twitter.com/iubTvPEdwp
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 18, 2018
Trump always seems to claim he loves the military, but he doesn’t show that in his treatment of veterans. After all, this is the man who attacked John McCain, a hero and former POW, because “he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured, okay?” He also frequently remarked on the campaign trail that our generals “don’t know what they’re doing.”
Bill McRaven was NOT a Clinton “backer.” He never endorsed her or anyone for president. He was also on the short list that Chris Christie (then transition planning) put together of people who should be sought out for top natsec posts in a Trump administration. https://t.co/eFiw91oZTJ
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) November 18, 2018
The American people have also noticed that Trump has yet to visit the troops currently serving, saying that he’s “too busy” despite a record number of golf vacation days as president. He’s the first president in some time to skip a visit to Arlington Cemetery on Veteran’s Day and failed to join other world leaders on Armistice Day to celebrate the end of World War I.
Admiral Bill McRaven cant hear you because he is too busy being a MAN. He is a multi-war combat veteran who sent his men to put a bullet in the face of our greatest foe. He didn’t run and hide five times to dodge the draft … that was you. #TrumpisaCoward https://t.co/IEuUaSH8k6
— Malcolm Nance (@MalcolmNance) November 18, 2018
This is not a president who “loves our troops.” This is a man who will use the military for political gain and lash out when any of them disagree with him.
Featured image screenshot via YouTube