President Trump defended his tweet disputing Myeshia Johnson’s recollection of her phone call with the president, saying Wednesday it’s always appropriate to “counterpunch” when someone says something false, even if it’s a Gold Star widow.
“I think it’s always OK when somebody says something about you that’s false, I think it’s always okay to counterpunch or to fight back,” Trump said.
The president has faced scrutiny for his condolence call to Johnson, whose husband, Army Sgt. La David Johnson, was one of four U.S. Army soldiers killed in Niger at the beginning of the month.
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Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., initially said Trump told Johnson her husband “knew what he signed up for,” and Johnson affirmed Wilson’s recollection of the call in an interview with ABC on Monday.
“What he said was — yes, the president — said that he knew what he signed up for, but it hurts anyway,” Johnson said. “And it was, it made me cry because I was very angry at the tone of his voice and how he said it. He couldn’t remember my husband’s name.”
Trump defended himself on Twitter following her interview and refuted Johnson’s claim that he didn’t remember the slain Army soldier’s name.
“I had a very respectful conversation with the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, and spoke his name from beginning, without hesitation,” he tweeted Monday.
Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the president again discussed his phone call with Johnson, saying he was “extremely courteous,” and reiterated he remembered her husband’s name.
“I can only say this. I was really nice to her. I respect her. I respect her family. I certainly respect La David, who I called La David right from the beginning just so you understand,” Trump said.
The president said his aides put a chart in front of him with La David Johnson’s name on it, so there was “no hesitation” in mentioning it.
“So right from the beginning, no hesitation,” he said. “One of the great memories of all time. There was no hesitation.”
