Report: Trump Disparages Disabled Army Veteran Who Sang 'God Bless America' During Welcome Ceremony

According to a report by The Atlantic, former President Donald Trump made disparaging comments about a wounded US Army veteran, Army captain Luis Avila, who sang "God Bless America" during a welcome ceremony for General Mark Milley at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in 2019. Trump allegedly said to Milley in front of several witnesses, "Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded." Trump has a history of making disparaging comments about US troops, including allegedly referring to the fallen soldiers at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France as "losers" and "suckers" after he balked at attending a memorial service in 2018.

Army captain Luis Avila, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, sang “God Bless America” during a welcome ceremony of Gen. Mark Milley at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in 2019. After the performance, Trump allegedly made the following remarks to Milley in front of several witnesses: “Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded.” 1

Trump has a history of making disparaging comments about US troops, including allegedly referring to the fallen soldiers at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France as “losers” and “suckers” after he balked at attending a memorial service in 2018. 1

Milley recently invited Avila to sing at his retirement ceremony, according to The Atlantic. 1

The report by The Atlantic is not the first time Trump has been accused of making disparaging comments about US troops. 1

Trump has denied the allegations, calling them “fake news” and “totally false.” 2

Key Facts

  1. Former President Donald Trump made disparaging comments about a wounded US Army veteran after he sang “God Bless America” during his presidency, according to a new report. 1
  2. Trump allegedly made the nasty remarks at a welcome ceremony of Gen. Mark Milley at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in 2019, after Army captain Luis Avila, who was severely wounded in Afghanistan, sang “God Bless America,” The Atlantic reported. 1
  3. “Why do you bring people like that here? No one wants to see that, the wounded,” Trump allegedly said to Milley in front of several witnesses as he walked over to congratulate Avila after the performance. 1
  4. Trump has a history of making disparaging comments about US troops, including allegedly referring to the fallen soldiers at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France as “losers” and “suckers” after he balked at attending a memorial service in 2018. 1
  5. Milley recently invited Avila to sing at his retirement ceremony, the outlet noted. 1