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‘Why do you bring people like that here?’: Donald Trump accused of insulting vet who lost leg in Afghanistan IED attack

Former President Donald Trump allegedly made belittling remarks about a wounded US Army veteran after he sang God Bless America during his presidency

Updated on: Sep 24, 2023, 10:25:33 IST
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A new report has claimed that former President Donald Trump allegedly made belittling remarks about a wounded US Army veteran after he sang God Bless America during his presidency. At a welcome ceremony of Gen. Mark Milley at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in 2019, Donald passed the comments about Army captain Luis Avila, who was seriously injured in Afghanistan. Luis had lost a leg in an IED attack.

Donald Trump has been accused of insulting Army captain Luis Avila (CNN screenshot/YouTube, AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Donald Trump has been accused of insulting Army captain Luis Avila (CNN screenshot/YouTube, AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

“Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded,” Donald allegedly told Mark before multiple witnesses. He said this while walking over to congratulate Luis following the performance, according to The Atlantic.

Mark had handpicked Luis to perform, who had successfully completed five combat tours. He suffered two heart attacks, two strokes, and brain damage due to his injuries.

Reportedly, Luis' wheelchair nearly flipped over, when Mark’s wife Holly­anne, as well as then-Vice President Mike Pence, rushed to help. Donald was later seen greeting Luis. He then told Mark to not let Luis appear in public ever again. Mark considered Luis and his wife, Claudia, to be symbols of American heroism and sacrifice.

Luis had lost 242 soldiers under his command fighting in the Middle East. Donald’s comments reportedly deeply disturbed him. Luis was recently invited by Mark to sing at his retirement ceremony.

‘More dangerous than anyone could ever imagine’

Donald made disparaging comments about US troops in the past. He once allegedly referred to the fallen soldiers at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France as “losers” and “suckers.” Donald, however, maintained that he never made those remarks.

Several military officials have blasted Donald over the years, including retired Marine general John Kelly. John served as Donald’s chief of staff in 2017 and 2018, and slammed him as the “most flawed person” he has ever met.

James Mattis, also a retired Marine general who served as the former President’s first secretary of defence, once said Donald was “more dangerous than anyone could ever imagine.”

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More