Index/Topics/Trump's comments on U.S. service members

Trump's comments on U.S. service members

President Trump allegedly called U.S. service members 'suckers' and 'losers', confirmed by John Kelly

Fact-Checks

5 results

Jan 17, 2026

Did Trump call people who served in the military suckers and losers?

Reporting from multiple outlets traces the allegation that Donald Trump called U.S. service members—dead and living—“suckers” and “losers” to a 2020 Atlantic story that cited multiple sources and to l...

Jan 11, 2026

What on-the-record statements have former Trump aides like John Kelly and Miles Taylor given about veterans remarks?

Former White House chief of staff John Kelly has gone on the record confirming that, while he served in the Trump administration, then‑President Donald Trump privately disparaged U.S. service members ...

Jan 8, 2026

Which White House aides or officials have said they personally heard Trump call veterans ‘losers’ or ‘suckers’?

Three types of sources have publicly alleged that former President Donald Trump used words like “losers” and “suckers” about U.S. service members: a named former White House chief of staff who said he...

Jan 8, 2026

did maddog mattis hear first hand Trump call service members losers?

No authoritative reporting establishes that retired Marine Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis personally heard former President Donald Trump call U.S. service members “losers” or “suckers” in the moment; the...

Jan 7, 2026

DId trump really call military members suckers

Multiple mainstream news organizations reported in 2020 that The Atlantic published anonymous-sourced claims that then-President Donald Trump called American war dead “suckers” and “losers,” and those...