In the final stretch before the upcoming election, The Atlantic has unleashed a disingenuous hit piece targeting former President Donald Trump.
This attack, a recycled smear from four years ago, backfired spectacularly when the family of the late Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen and their attorney stepped up to set the record straight, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.
The article, penned by Jeffrey Goldberg—who previously misled the nation into the Iraq War—alleged that Trump exhibited disrespect towards Guillen, who was tragically murdered in 2020 at Fort Hood, Texas.
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Goldberg claimed Trump was upset over the alleged $60,000 funeral cost and questioned if Guillen’s family sought reimbursement from the White House.
According to Goldberg, Trump’s words were laced with disdain: “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f**king Mexican!” This narrative paints a damning picture of Trump, but the facts tell a different story.
On the left: I sent Atlantic a comment saying President Trump “absolutely did not say that,” referring to the alleged comments about Ms. Guillen they printed.
On the right: Atlantic translated that comment to “didn’t hear Trump say it.”
Treat this dishonest piece accordingly. pic.twitter.com/pM1o1c9fEm
— Ben Williamson (@_WilliamsonBen) October 22, 2024
Mayra Guillen, Vanessa’s sister, swiftly condemned The Atlantic’s exploitation of her sister’s death for political purposes.
On X, she asserted, “Wow. I don’t appreciate how you are exploiting my sister’s death for politics—hurtful & disrespectful to the important changes she made for service members. President Donald Trump did nothing but show respect to my family & Vanessa. In fact, I voted for President Trump today.”
Wow.
I don’t appreciate how you are exploiting my sister’s death for politics- hurtful & disrespectful to the important changes she made for service members. President Donald Trump did nothing but show respect to my family & Vanessa. In fact, I voted for President Trump today. https://t.co/o8cDrKOKBV— Mayra Guillen (@mguilen_) October 22, 2024
Mark Meadows, Trump’s former chief of staff, and his spokesperson, Ben Williamson, also came forward to debunk the article’s claims.
Meadows emphatically stated, “Any suggestion that President Trump disparaged Ms. Guillen or refused to pay for her funeral expenses is absolutely false.” He emphasized that Trump acted with kindness and a commitment to ensuring that the military and U.S. government honored Guillen and her family.
I was in the discussions featured in the Atlantic’s latest hit piece against President Trump. Let me say this.
Any suggestion that President Trump disparaged Ms. Guillen or refused to pay for her funeral expenses is absolutely false.
He was nothing but kind, gracious, and…
— Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) October 22, 2024
The family’s attorney, Natalie Khawam, added her voice to the chorus, categorically rejecting Goldberg’s portrayal.
“After having dealt with hundreds of reporters in my legal career, this is unfortunately the first time I have to go on record and call out Jeffrey Goldberg at The Atlantic: not only did he misrepresent our conversation but he outright LIED in HIS sensational story,” she said.
Khawam highlighted the suspicious timing of this supposed conversation, which allegedly occurred over four years ago.
After having dealt with hundreds of reporters in my legal career, this is unfortunately the first time I have to go on record and call out Jeffrey Goldberg@the Atlantic: not only did he misrepresent our conversation but he outright LIED in HIS sensational story.
More… https://t.co/uJtfsNTo37— Attorney Natalie Khawam (@WhistleblowerLF) October 22, 2024
The Atlantic’s efforts to resurrect past grievances only serve to illuminate their desperation for clicks over truth.
As the election draws near, it’s clear that some media outlets will stop at nothing, even exploiting tragedy, to advance their agenda. The Guillen family’s response highlights the need for accountability in journalism and the importance of honoring the memory of those who have served.
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