Donald Trump’s latest Truth Social post about fallen soldiers has everyone talking. The president compared US troop deaths in the Iran conflict to casualty figures from wars stretching back decades, drawing sharp bipartisan backlash.
Donald Trump criticized for comparing deaths of US troops
President Donald Trump drew widespread condemnation on Tuesday for a Truth Social post comparing US troop deaths across multiple wars. The president listed death tolls from six military operations, placing the Iran conflict alongside the Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan wars.
Trump wrote, “Afghanistan War: 20 years, 2,000 DEAD. Iraq War: 9 years, 4,600 DEAD. Vietnam War: 19 years and 5 months, 58,220 DEAD. Korean War: 3 years and 1 month, 36,574 DEAD. Venezuela War: 1 day, 0 DEAD. Iran Military Conflict: 4 months, 18 DEAD.” He notably avoided using the word “war” for the Iran operation.
The post came one day before Trump was set to attend a dignified transfer for fallen service members. Three US troops died in Iranian attacks on military bases in Jordan and Iraq over the weekend. The Pentagon identified them as Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, First Lt. Tyler James Feehan, 25, and Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30 (via The Daily Beast)
Former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene responded sharply on X. She wrote, “Trump is bragging about killing 18 US soldiers.” Greene also stated, “The ‘peace president’ went to war and is killing and wounding our troops.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump a “disgusting Little Man” and demanded respect for American soldiers.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the post “beneath contempt and a new low even for the likes of Donald Trump.”
At least 17 US troops have died since the US and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28. Around 500 others have been wounded, according to Pentagon figures. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
