Army Sergeant La David Johnson was killed during an ambush in Niger by elements of ISIS. The event was the largest loss of American lives in Africa during combat since the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993.
La David’s pregnant widow said that Trump forgot her husband’s name during a phone call he’d made to offer condolences. Trump also remarked about her husband that, “He knew what he signed up for, but it hurts anyways.”
When the widow’s account of the phone call was reported, Trump said she was wrong because he has “one of the greatest memories of all time.”
He also tweeted that he had said the name “without hesitation.”
A few days later, Trump defended himself by saying that past Presidents didn’t even call the families of fallen soldiers.
Trump also attacked a Gold Star family for speaking at the DNC and disparaged US Senator John McCain’s service in Vietnam because he liked people “who weren’t captured.” In another instance, Trump sent a $25,000 personal check to a grieving family, though it came after news reports on its delay months after the promise.
The New York Times – Soldier’s Widow Says Trump Struggled to Remember Sgt. La David Johnson’s Name
Business Insider – TRUMP: I remember call to Gold Star widow better than she does because I have ‘one of the great memories of all-time’
The Washington Post – President Trump has one of the greatest memories of all time
Wikipedia – Tongo Tongo ambush
