John Kelly Confirms Multiple Disconcerting Incidents Involving Trump

Last updated Oct 3, 2023

TL/DR –

John Kelly, former White House chief of staff for Donald Trump, has made his sternest criticism yet of the former president in a statement released to CNN. Kelly confirmed a number of stories that had previously been reported about Trump, including insulting remarks made about US service members and veterans, as well as his contempt for democratic institutions and the rule of law. The Trump campaign responded to the comments by belittling John Kelly, accusing him of making up these stories.

John Kelly Criticizes Trump in Exclusive Statement

John Kelly, longest-serving White House chief of staff for Donald Trump, criticized the former president in a statement to CNN.

Kelly confirmed stories of Trump’s remarks against US service members and veterans, reporting objectionable comments he witnessed Trump make.

He criticized Trump’s attitude towards those who serve their country, pointing to remarks made by Trump about veterans and the military. He also criticized Trump’s contempt for Gold Star families and his negative attitude towards those who gave their lives in America’s defense.

Kelly accused Trump of untruthfulness regarding his position on various social issues and minorities, as well as a lack of understanding of what America stands for.

Kelly’s statement confirmed details in a 2020 The Atlantic story by Jeffrey Goldberg, including Trump’s comments at Arlington National Cemetery asking, “What was in it for them?”

The statement also confirmed Trump’s lack of respect for former prisoners of war and those wounded in combat, as demonstrated by his comments about Sen. John McCain and former President George H. W. Bush.

CNN informed the Trump campaign about Kelly’s confirmation of details in the 2020 Atlantic story. However, they responded with an insult towards retired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley, and dismissed Kelly’s statements.

The statement also adds context to the profile of retired Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley by Goldberg, where Trump reacted negatively to seeing severely wounded military personnel.

Kelly’s statement comes after former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson warned the public in an interview with CNN that “Donald Trump is the most grave threat we will face to our democracy in our lifetime, and potentially in American history.”

Several former members of Trump’s administration have criticized him, including his former secretary of defense, Mark Esper, and former attorney general, Bill Barr, expressing their belief that he is unfit for office.