President Donald Trump has come under fire for his ‘insensitive’ choice of words when speaking to the pregnant widow of one of the four U.S. Special Forces soldiers killed in Niger. President Donald Trump said Wednesday morning on Twitter that he never told the widow of U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson that the soldier “knew what he signed up for … but when it happens, it hurts anyway.” The remark delivered with a car full of people listening on speakerphone drew instant condemnation, but Trump said Wednesday morning that it was entirely made up. ‘Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!’ the president tweeted.
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson fired back at Trump, telling CNN that she had proof, too
“This man is a sick man,” she said. “He’s cold-hearted and he feels no pity or sympathy for anyone.” Johnson, a 25-year-old father of two, was killed Oct. 4 while fighting in Niger. The conversation between Trump and Myeisha Johnson took place Tuesday, before the soldier’s body arrived at Miami International Airport.
“When she actually hung up the phone, she looked at me and said, ‘He didn’t even know his name,'” Wilson said. “Now that’s the worst part.”Trump affirmed his position when speaking with reporters later Wednesday. I did not say what she said,” Trump said. “I had a very nice conversation with the woman, with the wife, who sounded like a lovely woman.”
Wilson said on Twitter that she stands by her account of the call.
“There’s no reason to lie about a telephone call,” Wilson said. “What Mr. Trump needs to be concerned about is keeping us out of war.”
Wilson said Trump informed the media that he was going to call the widow. She said reporters waiting at the funeral home asked her what she heard.
“And then I told them what he said,” Wilson said, adding that Trump “did all the talking.”
Wilson said she hasn’t had any discussion with the family about what Trump should do next.
“But I would like to make a suggestion to the president going forward,” Wilson said. “If he ever has to do this, perform this task again, I would suggest to him that he call up and he say, “I’m so sorry. Your son, your daughter, paid the ultimate price for our nation, and I’m going to send you a letter in the mail.'”