Former President Trump honored the veterans who served in the D-Day invasion 80 years ago in a social media post Thursday.
“Today, we honor the immortal heroes who landed at Normandy 80 years ago. The men of D-Day will live forever in history as among the bravest, noblest, and greatest Americans ever to walk the earth. They shed their blood, and thousands gave their lives, in defense of American Freedom. They are in our hearts today and for all time,” the former president wrote on Truth Social.
He also shared a video on social media of him speaking to four D-Day veterans via video call, where he said it was an “honor listening” to them. Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, added that he would invite them to the White House in January if he wins the election in November.
Trump has faced backlash for his comments on veterans in the past, including when he referred to U.S. service members as “suckers” and “losers,” according to a 2020 article from The Atlantic. Former White House chief of staff John Kelly later confirmed those remarks.
He also received criticism after mocking the absence of Nikki Haley’s husband, who was stationed overseas for the South Carolina National Guard at the time, from her campaign events earlier this year.
Veteran groups have since launched ads attacking Trump for his remarks, including one that aired during the Super Bowl in February. In a new ad on Thursday, three veterans slammed the former president as a “draft dodger” and argued that he is not fit to serve as commander in chief.
President Biden, along with a handful of lawmakers and world leaders, is in Normandy, France, on Thursday to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which launched a turning point in favor of the Allied Forces during World War II. He spent part of Thursday meeting with veterans, telling them that they “saved the world.”