Former President Donald Trump is under fire after making dismissive remarks about U.S. service members injured in a 2020 Iranian missile strike.
Many Found Comment Offensive
During a recent press conference, Trump trivialized the traumatic brain injuries suffered by over 100 U.S. troops in the attack, sparking outrage among veterans and military families.
The attack occurred in January 2020, when Iran launched missiles at two U.S. military bases in Iraq in retaliation for the U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, according to Ziare.
As a result of the missile strike, 109 U.S. soldiers were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), ranging from mild to severe.
When asked whether he would adopt a tougher stance on Iran if he were re-elected, Trump responded with comments that many found offensive.
“In the first place, how were they injured? What does it mean to be injured? Did they have headaches?” Trump remarked, downplaying the severity of TBIs.
Calls Troops Losers
The statement triggered immediate backlash from the military community and lawmakers.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, responded sharply to Trump’s comments. “This is who Donald Trump is — someone who calls American troops who sacrifice for their country ‘losers’ and ‘suckers,’” Kelly said.
Tim Walz, another veteran and current vice-presidential candidate, echoed similar sentiments. “When Iranian rockets landed near U.S. troops, leading to brain injuries, Trump reduced their suffering to headaches,” Walz stated.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s remarks about the military have caused controversy. His previous statements calling fallen soldiers “losers” during a 2020 visit to a military cemetery also sparked outrage among both veterans and politicians.
