White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders shared behind-the-scenes images of Donald Trump’s first visit to a war zone as commander in chief, including one memorable exchange with a soldier.
“Powerful moment – Member of United States Army told the President he came back into the military because of him. And President Trump responded, ‘And I am here because of you,'” Sanders tweeted of Trump’s trip to Iraq. “I met him after and he gave me the patch from his arm. Incredible.”
Powerful moment – Member of United States Army told the President he came back into the military because of him. And President Trump responded, “And I am here because of you.” I met him after and he gave me the patch from his arm. Incredible. #TrumpTroopsVisit [1] pic.twitter.com/WmQf3b2K8X [2]
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) December 26, 2018 [3]
Trump made the roughly three-hour trip to Iraq, his first visit to troops in a combat zone as president, after facing criticism for not visiting troops fighting overseas since taking office nearly two years ago.
The visit also came amid criticism of his national security strategy.
Trump last week announced that U.S. troops in Syria would be withdrawn from the country, later stating that the U.S. also would withdraw troops partially from Afghanistan.
Twitter didn’t seem to believe Trump’s spokeswoman:
Well, you can't have a trip to a military base without an arm of the Propaganda machine present. Sarah – no one believes anything you say, this included.
— mike the dog (@photochris5511) December 27, 2018 [4]
Is this the same event where he violated campaign laws by handing out those ugly MAGA caps and lied about giving warriors a pay increase? Do you ever get tired of the unethical behavior and lies?
— Alan Ladwig (@SpaceArtAl) December 27, 2018 [5]
Prove it show video!! With audio. I spent over 20 years in the military and I have absolutely no idea how anybody in the military would ever complement Trump
— Lenny Burridge (@LennysJukeJoint) December 27, 2018 [6]
They didn’t have a “survived bone spurs” patch?
— Lisa Rider (@MrsRider2017) December 27, 2018 [7]
CRAZY! Also – your brother still torture dogs for fun? What's up with that??
— Fishbulb (@thedailyduff) December 27, 2018 [8]
He lied to the soldiers. To their faces. Lies they know are lies but because of chain of command could not respond and call him a liar
The ultimate disrespect
— (((Feddi Up))) (@FeddiUp) December 27, 2018 [9]
It’s a shame when you have to doubt anything said by anyone in this White House. There’s a 50/50 chance this isn’t true.
— Gene Lang (@GeneSeoglobal) December 27, 2018 [10]
Absolutely astonishing that Sarah Sanders makes this visit about Trump and not the troops. Sick people in this administration.@PressSec [11] https://t.co/hpULsZsiQE [12]
— Main Street Muse (@MainStreetMuse) December 27, 2018 [13]
Everyone makes mistakes at some point in life. @PressSec [11] #TrumpResign [14] https://t.co/zlX3K9XlkC [15]
— Angela Steensrud (@angelajs85) December 27, 2018 [16]