(NEWSHACKER) – In a poll conducted by the Military Times before the conventions, more and more servicemen are turning away from President Trump and choosing to support Joe Biden instead. In an exclusive scoop from The Atlantic (and confirmed by the Associated Press), the President has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, called Americans who died in war “suckers” and “losers,” and lots more.
The military is undoubtedly one of the GOP’s largest voting blocs. Historically, even in years which a Democrat has done well, like Barack Obama in 2008, active-duty servicemen have always favored the Republican. However, that is all changing this year. A poll by the Military Times has shown that Joe Biden is leading Donald Trump by over four points, and half of all respondents have an unfavorable view of the president. 42 percent “strongly” disapproved of Trump’s time in office, and it isn’t difficult to see why.
In a major story run by The Atlantic, Trump’s disrespect for military veterans and servicemen is revealed. Some major new revelations, given from close anonymous Trump aides, from the article include the following:
- Referred to Americans who died in war as “suckers” and “losers”
- Canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris, citing that it “is filled with losers.”
- On the same trip, called the 1,800 Marines who lost their lives in the decisive battle in Belleau Wood in spring 1918 as “suckers” for getting killed
- Said he didn’t understand why the U.S. would intervene on the side of the allies and asked “Who were the good guys in this war?”
- On the death of Vietnam war veteran, a survivor of torture and POW, Arizona Senator, and 2008 Republican Presidential candidate John McCain in 2018. said that “we’re not going to support that loser’s funeral” and got furious when flags were lowered to half-staff and asked “what the f*ck are we doing that for? Guy was a f*cking loser.”
- Referred to former President George H.W. Bush as a “loser” for being shot down during World War II.
- While honoring the then-Secretary of Homeland Security and former military general John Kelly’s son, who died in Afghanistan in 2010 at the age of 29, at Arlington National Cemetery in Texas, asked, “What’s in it them?”
- Refused to allow amputated veterans to participate in military parades because they made him uncomfortable and asked, “That guy was smart. Why did he join the military?”
All these are not including the things he did already say, and that are already on record.
For example, since March, he knew that Russia had paid bounties for people to kill U.S. troops, but refused to take any action against Russia. This might be due to allegations that Russia is interfering in elections to help Trump win.
He has also done plenty of other things to disenfranchise military servicemen, a non-comprehensive list (with citations to news websites) of which is detailed in this Reddit comment.
In addition, he remains the only president to have never served in the U.S. military (none of his family has either). He even dodged military drafts by having a doctor diagnose him for alleged “bone spurs.” This may result in servicemen viewing him significantly less favorably.
John McCain is also honored highly by service members, and Trump’s harsh blasting of him is also bound to hurt him in approval among service members. Many service members have lost respect for Donald Trump after his remarks against McCain back in 2018.
It is, therefore, not difficult to see why Donald Trump is the first Republican in decades to not be liked by members of the military. Although the number of active service members who vote is not enough to swing an election, many veterans, especially old ones, may also vote against Trump in this election out of anger for his disrespect to troops.
Frankly, it is very disrespectful, and even disgraceful, for the President, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces, would make such disrespectful comments against those who actively risk their lives to serve the United States in war.
Obviously, in a series of tweets, the President has denied these allegations, calling it “fake news” and a “disgraceful attempt to influence the 2020 election.”
Because of Joe Biden’s military background, and the fact that one of his sons, Beau Biden, a Iraq War veteran who received the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal, died from a brain tumor back in 2015, many service members may be more inclined to vote for someone who understands the harsh reality of being a member of the army. These allegations will only help Joe Biden further in November.
The election is exactly 60 days from today. Make sure to stay tuned for more election analysis and news that will be coming very soon. In addition, my presidential prediction for early September will be out very soon, so make sure to subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss it!