Did Trump Say “He Knew What He Signed Up For”?
In the latest presidential attack, Donald Trump has been accused of an insensitive disposition towards the widow of fallen soldier Sgt. La David Johnson, who perished during a mission in Niger earlier this month. We’ll flesh out whether Trump actually made the purported statement “He knew what he signed up for” to David Johnson’s widow, or whether this is another partisan round of fake news.
The comments in question were supposedly derived from a phone call between Trump and Myeshia Johnson. Addressing her husband’s unfortunate demise, Trump reportedly said to Johnson, “He knew what he signed up for, but when it happens, it hurts anyway.” This is according to Florida Representative Frederica Wilson, who disclosed the comment to a local ABC TV affiliate. (Source: “Trump reportedly tells the widow of a US soldier killed in action ‘he knew what he signed up for’,” Business Insider, October 17, 2017.)
Looking over the evidence, it’s impossible to know for sure. While Congresswoman Wilson claims that Trump made this comment, in the end, it’s hearsay. To date, we can’t find any direct evidence of Myeshia Johnson making that claim.
As such, these are still unproven allegations, albeit from a holder of public office, who is supposed to be a credible representative of the people.
Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Allegations
The news of Trump’s perceived insensitivity was broken by Florida House Rep. Frederica Wilson. When asked about the veracity of the allegations, she remarked,”Yeah, he said that. So insensitive. He should have not have said that. He shouldn’t have said it.” (Source: “Trump to widow of Sgt. La David Johnson: ‘He knew what he signed up for‘,” ABC Local 10 News, October 10, 2017.)
I am talking with CNN's @donlemon right now about the insensitive comments @realDonaldTrump made to the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson.
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) October 18, 2017
The biggest question on our minds is whether these allegations are credible. Wilson has been a vocal critic of Trump, leaving the door open to possible bias. From the very beginning, it became obvious she wasn’t a supporter, partisan politics aside.
In January 2017, Wilson made it known that she would not attend Trump’s presidential swearing-in ceremony. Wilson’s office told NBC that “after much deliberation,” Wilson would forgo the event, which has historically attracted both Republican and Democrat House members alike. (Source: “Wilson and Hastings Among Florida Democrats Boycotting Trump Inauguration,” NBC 6, January 17, 2017.)
Back in May 2017, when addressing unconfirmed reports that Trump leaked classified information to the Russians, Wilson said to the media, “I believe that the president is desperate for attention and needs psychological help.” (Source: “Rep. Frederica Wilson: President Trump ‘Desperate For Attention & Needs Psychological Help’,” CBS Miami, May 15, 2017.)
More recently, Wilson insinuated that Trump’s threat to cut off emergency assistance to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria was caused by racism. Wilson told Rolling Stone, “These are people who don’t look like him, these are people who don’t speak like him, and these are people who [largely are not part of] his party – so what do you call that?” (Source: “Congress Members Call Out Trump for ‘Lamentable’ Puerto Rico Tweets,” Rolling Stone, October 12, 2017.)
So, it’s clear that Wilson is an ardent and vocal detractor of Trump. This casts doubt on the authenticity of the claims against Trump in this matter. Or, at least, it introduces a demonstrated bias that is hard to brush aside.
Trump Rejects the Claim
In a stinging rebuttal, Trump has accused Wilson of making the whole thing up. In a tweet, he even claimed that he had proof to that fact.
Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2017
In response, Wilson doubled down, standing by her previous assertion—with the addendum that others had heard the same thing.
I stand my account of the call with @realDonaldTrump and was not the only one who heard and was dismayed by his insensitive remarks.
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) October 18, 2017
The president’s office declined further comment, saying that Trump’s conversations “with the families of American heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice are private.” (Source: “Trump says Dem rep ‘fabricated’ account of call to soldier’s widow, has ‘proof’,” Fox News, October 18, 2017).
Our Verdict
Considering the evidence to date, we place the accusation that Trump tells a widow “he knew what he signed up for” in the maybe column. Given Trump’s history of speaking candidly and off-the-cuff, it’s certainly possible. But the evidence is coming from a demonstratively biased source.
Furthermore, there’s ample evidence of fake-news partisan hit pieces on the president and his staff emanating from Democrat circles and sympathizers. There’s everything from the unsubstantiated “Pee Gate” dossier to a TIME reporter’s insistence that Trump removed a bust of Dr. Martin Luther King from the Oval Office. Wilson’s allegations may or may not be part of that same anti-Trump narrative.