Fact check: Did Trump make disparaging comments about Gold Star families?

1. Summary of the results

Multiple credible sources confirm that Donald Trump made several controversial comments about military service members and Gold Star families. The most notable incidents include:

• Allegedly calling World War I dead "losers" and "suckers" during a 2018 Paris trip ^{[1] [2]}
• Making controversial remarks to the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, saying "He knew what he signed up for" ^[3]
• These allegations were later corroborated by former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The situation is more nuanced than initially presented:

• While multiple anonymous sources supported the claims about the "losers" and "suckers" comments, there is no direct audio or video evidence ^[2]
• Some Gold Star families defended Trump, while others criticized him ^[5]
• The controversy extended beyond just comments, including incidents such as Trump taking photos in restricted cemetery sections ^[5]
• The allegations became a recurring political issue, with Democratic politicians and military veterans using them to criticize Trump ^[6]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

Several factors should be considered when evaluating this controversy:

• The original "losers" and "suckers" claims came from anonymous sources in The Atlantic ^[2]
• There's a clear political dimension, with Trump's campaign actively working to dismiss these claims as "debunked stories" ^[4]
• Specific Gold Star families have gone on record with their reactions:

The families of Pfc. John Hart and Lance Cpl. Travis Desiato expressed outrage ^[1]

Joseph DeSiato emphasized that service members chose to serve despite having other opportunities ^[1]

• The controversy benefits different political groups:

Democratic politicians used these incidents to challenge Trump's fitness for office ^[6]

Trump's campaign worked to maintain support among military families by dismissing the allegations