Donald Trump regularly promises that under his leadership we’re going to “win with veterans”. Trump’s record, however, shows an uniformed conman cynically using veterans as political props.
Asked on CNN’s New Day if he would support the continuation of the GI Bill, Donald Trump gave a meandering answer about immigration before abruptly stating that “No,” he would not support the continuation of the GI Bill.
On the 241st birthday of the United States Army, Donald Trump campaigned on the theft of funds earmarked for rebuilding Iraq by American troops. Thousands of servicemen and women served with honor and bravery in Iraq, but Trump instead chose to demagogue isolated incidents for political gain and diminish the service of the men and women who served honorably.
Trump has insulted John McCain’s record of service and tried to have veterans working as street vendors kicked off Fifth Avenue. Trump’s record of disrespect for veterans is staggering; he talks a big game on “winning with veterans”, but he’s only concerned with winning in November.
Background:
Trump Called John McCain “Not A War Hero” Because He Was Captured, Refused To Apologize
[Video] Trump On John McCain: “He’s Not A War Hero.” “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” [Donald Trump, Family Leadership Summit, Ames, IA, 7/18/15]
Trump On Whether He Owed McCain An Apology, 2015: “No, Not At All.” According to CNN, “Asked by ABC News whether he owes McCain an apology, Trump said: ‘No, not at all.’ ‘People that fought hard and weren’t captured and went through a lot, they get no credit. Nobody even talks about them. They’re like forgotten. And I think that’s a shame, if you want to know the truth,’ Trump saidSunday. ‘People that were not captured that went in and fought, nobody talks about them. Those are heroes also,’ he said.” [CNN, 7/18/15]
Trump Said Soldiers That Were Not Captured “Get No Credit” Compared To P.O.W.s
Trump, 2015: “People That Fought Hard And Weren’t Captured And Went Through A Lot, They Get No Credit.” According to CNN, “Asked by ABC News whether he owes McCain an apology, Trump said: ‘No, not at all.’ ‘People that fought hard and weren’t captured and went through a lot, they get no credit. Nobody even talks about them. They’re like forgotten. And I think that’s a shame, if you want to know the truth,’ Trump said Sunday. ‘People that were not captured that went in and fought, nobody talks about them. Those are heroes also,’ he said.” [CNN, 7/18/15]
As A Businessman, Trump Repeatedly Protested New York’s Special Vendor Privileges For Veterans
Trump, 1991: “While Disabled Veterans Should Be Given Every Opportunity To Earn A Living, Is It Fair To Do So To The Detriment Of The City As A Whole Or Its Tax Paying Citizens And Businesses?” According to the Daily News, “‘While disabled veterans should be given every opportunity to earn a living, is it fair to do so to the detriment of the city as a whole or its tax paying citizens and businesses?’ Trump wrote in a 1991 letter to John Dearie, then-chairman of the state Assembly’s Committee on Cities. ‘Do we allow Fifth Ave., one of the world’s finest and most luxurious shopping districts, to be turned into an outdoor flea market, clogging and seriously downgrading the area?’ Trump demanded. New York’s original peddling exceptions for veterans date back to 1894 — created to give those disabled during the Civil War a chance to support themselves.” [Daily News, 8/3/15]
2004: Trump Complained To Michael Bloomberg About Vendors On Fifth Avenue And Opposed Special Vendor Privileges For Veterans; Said “Whether They Are Veterans Or Not, They [The Vendors] Should Not Be Allowed To Sell On This Most Important And Prestigious Shopping Street.” According to The New York Post, “Donald Trump blasted conditions on Fifth Avenue as ‘deplorable’ in a letter to Mayor Bloomberg complaining about street vendors who are ‘rapidly destroying’ the street’s ambiance. The letter, addressed ‘Dear Michael,’ accuses vendors of pretending to be military veterans so they can peddle their wares on the high-rent street. Special regulations give veterans more leeway than other vendors. Trump said he inquired of one vendor – who displayed hats and shirts bearing Trump’s trademark phrase ‘You’re fired’ – which war he had fought in, but the vendor smiled and said, ‘Mr. Trump, I am too smart to fight in a war.’ But Trump favors no special peddling privileges for veterans, either. ‘Whether they are veterans or not, they [the vendors] should not be allowed to sell on this most important and prestigious shopping street,’ The Donald wrote. […] Trump said building owners and tenants are ‘forced to clean up all the discarded debris’ when the vendors leave – and the stores are ‘complaining bitterly.’ ‘Frankly, I have no idea how they can be doing business with the mess they have outside their front door,’ he wrote. ‘Fifth Avenue’s comeback is going to be a short one if this situation is not corrected immediately.’ Trump implored the mayor to act quickly or the city’s reputation will falter. ‘The image of New York City will suffer,’ Trump wrote. ‘I hope you can stop this very deplorable situation before it is too late.’” [New York Post, 6/18/04]
Trump Said He Did Not “Have The Guts” For Military Service
Trump On Military Service, 1995: “I’m A Financial Warrior; I Don’t Have The Guts To Do This Stuff.” According to Daily News, “Trump did not serve in the military. ‘I’m a financial warrior; I don’t have the guts to do this stuff,’ he said.” [Daily News, 11/11/95]
Published: Jul 11, 2016