CNN reports:
White House chief of staff John Kelly, in an extraordinary and at times emotional statement Thursday, said he advised President Donald Trump on what to say before he called the families of the four fallen soldiers who died during an ambush in Niger. Kelly said from the White House briefing room that he advised Trump to offer similar words that Gen. Joseph Dunford offered to Kelly when his son was killed in Afghanistan.
“He was doing exactly what he wanted to do when he was killed. He knew what he was getting into by joining that 1%. He knew what the possibilities were because we were at war,” Kelly said, channeling Dunford’s words to him upon the death of Kelly’s son. “And when he died he was surrounded by the best men on this earth, his friends. That’s what the President tried to say to the four families the other day.”
Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2017
Yesterday, Trump denied saying, ‘he knew what he was getting himself into.’
Today, Kelly confirms that that’s what Trump said. https://t.co/9OkAocYDNZ
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 19, 2017
Analysis of Kelly’s statement: He gave #Trump good faith advice prior to Trump calling Myeshia Johnson, widow of David Johnson. Kelly was stunned @RepWilson listened to call, but she’s widow’s friend. Trump heinously lied by claiming he didn’t say what Kelly now confirms he said. pic.twitter.com/QxS1fCa8np
— Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) October 19, 2017
Kelly confirms that he advised Trump to say that “soldiers knew what they were doing” when they got into the military
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) October 19, 2017
John Kelly with powerful remarks against Congresswoman Wilson who is politicizing a Gold Star widow…
— Real Jack (@RealJack) October 19, 2017