Former President Trump called the reported clashes at Arlington National Cemetery last week a “hoax.”
“There was no clash or 'battle' at Arlington National Cemetery last week. That was a fabrication by Comrade Kamala and her misinformation brigade,” he wrote on Tuesday. Posted on Truth Social“She made the whole thing up to make up for the fact that she and Sleepy Joe bled in our incompetent withdrawal from Afghanistan. The most shameful day in American history!”
First reported by NPR Cemetery staff reportedly confronted Trump campaign staff who were taking videos and photos in Section 60, a restricted area where soldiers who died in Afghanistan and Iraq are buried.
The Army said last week that Arlington National Cemetery officials were shoved while trying to enforce rules banning political activity on the cemetery grounds. The Trump campaign has disputed the report, saying no physical confrontations occurred and that filming there was permitted.
In his post, Trump said Vice President Harris and President Biden should have also been at the cemetery.
“They should have been at Arlington, not on the beach or studying for debate. I thank my friends, the great Gold Star families, for bringing to light the truth of this beautiful day of honor,” he wrote, referring to the families of 13 service members who died during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. “It couldn't have been a better moment. No fights, no issues, just in the minds of those destroying our country!”
Trump also spoke about his visit to the cemetery while campaigning in Pennsylvania on Friday, saying he wasn't just trying to get publicity by making an appearance on the anniversary of the Kabul airport attack.
“I didn't do this for the publicity. I get a lot of publicity,” the former president said. “I'd rather have less publicity. I'm the only one who will hire a public relations firm to get less publicity.”
He also said he had been invited by the families of those who died during the withdrawal to visit the graves and have photographs taken with them.
The Trump campaign released a statement last week from the families of the two service members, saying “the President and his team acted with the utmost respect and dignity toward all service members, especially their beloved children.”
The Hill has reached out to Harris' campaign for comment.
