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LTC Psychological Operations Officer
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Edited 7 y ago
It's sure interesting how this guy's story has changed. When he received his condolence call from Trump, he told the president how he thought the survivors benefit system was unfair because his ex wife (the soldiers mom) was listed by the soldier as the beneficiary, so she got the money not the dad. Note that the soldier could have split the money between them, but chose not to. The dad described his situation as "not having two nickels to rub together". So Trump, very generously, offered to send him a check.

The dad said he was disappointed when a condolence letter arrived, but without a check. As he described his thoughts, "damn, no check". Yet now, after he receives the check, he says he always thought the president was just kidding about the check and never really expected it. And suddenly, a guy who didn't have two nickels to rub together" suddenly is well off enough that he can use the $25k, which he apparently no longer needs, to start a foundation. Right.

And Trump, who signed the check the very same day that the Washington Post published their story about the guy never receiving the check, puts in his letter his made for TV excuse for not sending it earlier...that his lawyers finally approved it. Riiiight. Trumps lawyers, by a coincidence that defies credulity, happened to approve the check and Trump signed it the same day he got called out for not sending it.

Trump has a well established history of claiming to give money to charities in the heat of the moment, but then only actually doing it if someone follows up and presses him about his promises. He loves the feel good of acting like the great billionaire benefactor, but is not so good at the follow through, after his positive publicity has faded and the public attention has moved on.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/military-father-says-trump-offered-him-25000-and-never-followed-through_us_59e7b278e4b00905bdae7ef7
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SN Greg Wright
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The negativity will come because he can't do this for every soldier. So the next one's family is going to be like 'why wasn't ours worthy of it?'. I respect the gesture he's trying to make, but I think it was a bad idea.
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SSG Michael Eastes
SSG Michael Eastes
7 y
Me. Lint, I have no idea what the payout is now. I've been out for over 25 years.
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SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
7 y
SSG (Join to see) - Seems if you are getting $400K, then the $25K check is small and extra.
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff
7 y
SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint - 400,000 and then 100,000 death gratuity.
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SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint
7 y
I thought the death gratuity was about $200. So, each KIA is a half million dollars. War is expensive for civilians but still harder on the military!
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SFC Bde Mobility Nco
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Matter of fact, instead of calling widows just send them the check. that way he cant open his mouth and ruin another widow's moment of grief
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SPC Anthony Schepis
SPC Anthony Schepis
7 y
Oh I’m sure that widow is up at night thinking about what Trump said instead of her husbands death. I wonder if Obama will ever apologize to all the widows for lying saying the first thing when elected he would pull the troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
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MAJ James Woods
MAJ James Woods
7 y
SPC Anthony Schepis - Uh he did pull troops from Iraq in accordance with the withdrawal agreement Bush signed. Yes he sent troops back to advise and assist Iraqi forces when they could no longer fight ISIS themselves. And leaving residual forces in Afghanistan to advise and assist along with SOF was 1) something GOP also wanted especially since they complained when we initially failed to that in Iraq, 2) recommendation from those generals we know and love in Pentagon and CENTCOM, and 3) it was to prevent what happened in Iraq.
Obama didn't lie. Situation changed. Just like it has for Trump as he now supports sending more troops to Afghanistan after also campaigning on pulling all our troops out; or maybe you should call Trump a liar too.
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SPC Anthony Schepis
SPC Anthony Schepis
7 y
Yes Trump is a liar too, and so is Obama.
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