MIAMI (AP) — A Florida congresswoman is standing by her statement Wednesday that President Donald Trump told the widow of a South Florida soldier killed in an ambush in Niger that her husband “knew what he signed up for.”
Trump lashed out at Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson on Wednesday, saying in a tweet that her description of his Tuesday phone call with Myeshia Johnson was “fabricated.”
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
But Wilson shot back on CNN that “the president evidently is lying, because what I said is true.” Wilson said she and others in the car with Johnson heard Trump on a speakerphone.
"This gentleman has a brain disorder, and he needs to be checked out," Wilson told CNN.
Sgt. La David Johnson of Miami Gardens, Fla., was among four servicemen killed in the African nation of Niger earlier this month. They died when militants thought to be affiliated with the Islamic State group ambushed them while they were patrolling in unarmored trucks with Nigerien troops.
Wilson later tweeted Wednesday that she was not the only person who heard Trump's "insensitive remarks" and continued to stand by her account.
I stand my account of the call with @realDonaldTrump and was not the only one who heard and was dismayed by his insensitive remarks.
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) October 18, 2017
I still stand by my account of the call b/t @realDonaldTrump and Myesha Johnson. That is her name, Mr. Trump. Not "the woman" or "the wife."
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) October 18, 2017