Former President Donald Trump is facing widespread condemnation for remarks he made about U.S. soldiers killed in a conflict with Iran. Critics have accused him of fabricating the soldiers' sentiments and exploiting their deaths for political gain.
During comments made to reporters ahead of the transfer of remains of four soldiers at Dover Air Force Base, Trump stated that the fallen service members had expressed a strong desire to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. "They are indeed great heroes, actually. They said, and they, all of them said very strongly, ‘We can’t let, we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon,’" Trump said. He added, "They [Iran] won’t have a nuclear weapon, so we’re going to honor them."
These statements drew sharp criticism, with opponents labeling the remarks as "disgusting," "shameful," and "obscene." Commentators accused Trump of putting words into the mouths of deceased soldiers and using their sacrifice to bolster his political standing amid unfavorable poll numbers related to the conflict he initiated.
At least 18 U.S. service members have died in the war with Iran. The conflict began in February.