Published on
by

Mother of Fallen Soldier Confirms Account of Call from 'Cold-Hearted' Trump

President's reported comment sparked firestorm of condemnation on social media, with critics calling remark "repulsive" and "detestable"

by
0 Comments

The body of Sgt. La David Johnson arrives at Miami International Airport on Tuesday. "This man is a sick man. He's cold-hearted, and he feels no pity or sympathy for anyone," said Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) of President Trump's comments to the Johnson's widow. (Image: Screenshot via WPLG)

The mother of U.S. Army Sgt. La David Johnson—a soldier who was killed in an ambush in Niger earlier this month—has confirmed reports that President Donald Trump said her son "knew what he signed up for" when talking to Johnson's widow, a comment which sparked outrage after it was first relayed to the media by Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.).

"President Trump did disrespect my son and my daughter and also me and my husband."
—Cowanda Jones-Johnson, Sgt. Johnson's mother

Wilson said she heard Trump's comment as she rode with Sgt. Johnson's widow Myeshia to the Miami International Airport, where Johnson's casket arrived late Tuesday. The reported comment immediately sparked a firestorm of condemnation on social media, with critics calling the remark "repulsive" and "detestable."

Wilson told the Washington Post that she wanted to "curse [Trump] out" when she heard his comment, which she said made Myeshia Johnson cry.

When the Post asked Sgt. Johnson's mother, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, who was also in the car during the phone conversation, if Wilson's account was accurate, she simply replied: "Yes."

"President Trump did disrespect my son and my daughter and also me and my husband," she added.

The White House initially refused to confirm or deny the story, but Trump took to Twitter early Wednesday to claim that the Florida congresswoman "totally fabricated" the story, adding that he has "proof."

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

At Stake?

An existential threat to our democracy. A global pandemic. An unprecedented economic crisis. Our journalism has never been more needed.

Can you pitch in today and help us make our Fall Campaign goal of $80,000 by November 2nd?

Please select a donation method:



Wilson fired back shortly after Trump's tweet in an appearance on CNN, saying that she also has proof. Wilson went on to say that Myeshia Johnson turned to her after the phone conversation with Trump ended and said "he didn't even know his name."

"Now that's the worst part," Wilson said. "This man is a sick man. He's cold-hearted, and he feels no pity or sympathy for anyone."

Watch Wilson's CNN interview:

Our work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License. Feel free to republish and share widely.

This is the world we live in. This is the world we cover.

Because of people like you, another world is possible. There are many battles to be won, but we will battle them together—all of us. Common Dreams is not your normal news site. We don't survive on clicks. We don't want advertising dollars. We want the world to be a better place. But we can't do it alone. It doesn't work that way. We need you. If you can help today—because every gift of every size matters—please do. Without Your Support We Simply Don't Exist.

Please select a donation method:



Share This Article

Related Articles

More in:
World, U.S.
,
Donald Trump