Progressive veterans’ group VoteVets has launched a new attack ad targeting Donald Trump, criticizing his history of remarks about veterans.
The ad, which quickly gained traction after being posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, aims to highlight Trump’s past comments that have been viewed as disrespectful to military service members.
Ad Views Skyrocket Over the Weekend
After its release on Friday, the VoteVets ad had attracted significant attention, amassing over 617,000 views by Monday.
This surge in views indicates a strong public interest in the contents of the ad, which details several controversial statements made by Trump regarding veterans.
Alleged Disrespectful Comments Highlighted in Ad
The ad brings to light alleged comments by Trump where he referred to deceased soldiers as “suckers” and “losers.”
This claim, initially made by retired major general Paul Eaton, has been a point of contention, especially after John Kelly, Trump’s ex-Chief of Staff, confirmed in 2023 that these comments were indeed made.
Draft Dodging Allegations Resurface
VoteVets’ ad also accuses Trump of avoiding the Vietnam War draft through multiple deferments, including one for bone spurs diagnosed by a podiatrist who allegedly gave the diagnosis as a favor to Trump’s father, Fred.
This aspect of Trump’s past has been a critical point in discussions about his military service record.
Controversial Personal Vietnam Comment Revisited
In a 1998 interview with Howard Stern, Trump compared avoiding sexually transmitted diseases to his “personal Vietnam,” a comment that has been widely criticized for trivializing the sacrifices of actual Vietnam veterans.
This statement was made in a joking manner but is often used to illustrate Trump’s flippant attitude towards military service.
Unauthorized Filming at Arlington National Cemetery
The ad criticizes Trump for an incident at Arlington National Cemetery where his campaign staff was involved in a confrontation over filming without permission.
Such actions at Arlington are sensitive due to the solemn nature of the site and respect due to military families.
Harsh Words from Trump’s Campaign
During the Arlington incident, Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung remarked that the cemetery staff member who intervened was “suffering from a mental health episode,” according to Newsweek.
These comments were part of a broader altercation that has been heavily criticized for its insensitivity.
Staff Member’s Fear of Retaliation
The staff member at Arlington decided not to press charges against Trump’s campaign team, citing fear of retaliation from Trump’s supporters.
This highlights the tense atmosphere and the potential for conflict when political activities intersect with military commemorations.
Use of Controversial Footage in Campaign Video
Despite objections, Trump’s campaign used the footage obtained at Arlington in a campaign video on TikTok.
This decision was met with widespread criticism from various groups, including the U.S. Army and veterans’ organizations, for misusing a solemn military site for political purposes.
Trump Defends Actions at Arlington
Donald Trump defended his campaign’s decision to film at Arlington National Cemetery, despite facing criticism for disrespecting a place of national reverence.
His stance has been a point of controversy, particularly among military communities and families who view such sites as sacred.
VoteVets’ Condemnation in Ad
The VoteVets ad vehemently states, “Donald Trump, the grave markers which veterans and military families drop a knee to are not your political props,” underlining their stance that Trump does not understand the significance of military service and sacrifice.
This quote from the ad encapsulates the group’s criticism of Trump’s actions.
Trump’s Enduring Support Among Some Veterans
Despite the controversies and the negative portrayal in the VoteVets ad, Trump continues to maintain a significant level of support within parts of the veteran community.
This support indicates that his political influence remains strong among certain segments, even in the face of widespread criticism from military and veteran groups.
