Whatley, Defends Trump Against Criticism
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley defended former President Trump on Sunday amid criticism over Trump’s recent comments about the Medal of Honor.
Speaking to NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday,” Whatley emphasized Trump’s support for the military and veterans.
“Well, look, there is nobody who supports the military, our veterans’ communities, and all of the military families more than President Trump,” Whatley said in response to questions about Trump’s controversial remarks.
“And he is extremely grateful for their service every single day,” Whatley emphasized.
Whatley disagreed with Stirewalt’s view that Trump’s comments were “a pretty substantial mistake,” especially in light of the Trump campaign’s efforts to accuse Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, of “stolen valor.”
The Trump campaign has criticized Walz for resigning from the Army National Guard after 24 years, just months before his unit was deployed overseas.
Additionally, the GOP ticket has condemned Walz for a resurfaced video in which he suggested he used combat weapons “in war” during his service. The Harris campaign has clarified that Walz “misspoke” in the video.
“The questions surrounding stolen valor are serious, and we will continue to address them until Governor Walz apologizes for his statements and misrepresentations,” Whatley said.
The interview comes as the former president has once again found himself at the center of controversy due to his remarks about veterans, in which he compared a civilian award favorably to the Medal of Honor.
On Thursday, Trump spoke at an event held at his Bedminster, N.J. property that focused on combating antisemitism. The event was also attended by GOP mega-donor Miriam Adelson. During his speech, Trump recounted awarding Adelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in 2018.
“That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian. It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but for civilians,” Trump told the attendees.
He went on to say, “It’s actually much better, because everyone who gets the Congressional Medal of Honor – those are soldiers who are either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead.
She gets it, and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman,” Trump said with a chuckle, eliciting applause from the crowd. “And they’re rated equal.”