In recent days, one story that has dominated the headlines has revolved around a phone call Donald Trump made to the widow of a fallen solider killed earlier this month. After White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders gave her thoughts on the matter, those who oppose the commander in chief wasted no time firing back.
Sanders on Wilson
Earlier this month during an ambush in Niger, Africa, four Americans soldiers were killed. One of the men was Army Sgt. La. David Johnson, who leaves behind his pregnant wife Myeshia Johnson, and their two young children.
When the news first broke about the tragedy, the White House didn't give too much information, and left their remarks vague. Fast forward to this week when Johnson's body was flown into the Miami International Airport, where he was greeted by his wife and kids. Following the greeting of the casket, Johnson, with Democratic Rep. Frederica Wilson by her side, received a phone call from Donald Trump. However, Wilson claims that the president was "insensitive" with his remarks, saying that Trump told the widow that her husband "knew what he signed up for." The backlash from Democrats and the majority of the mainstream media came quick, causing the White House to defend themselves. Trump took to Twitter to call Wilson a "wacky" liar, with Chief of Staff John Kelly referring to her as an "empty barrel" over a speech she gave during a building dedication to fallen FBI members.
Wilson responded, hitting back at both men, which was discussed during the October 20 White House press briefing, as reported by NBC News.
Sanders doubles down on Gen. Kelly's "empty barrel" comment
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 20, 2017
"If you want to go after General Kelly, that's up to you," she says to reporter pic.twitter.com/ROHwGTUILP
While taking questions at the White House on Friday afternoon, Sarah Huckabee Sanders was questioned about the back and forth banter between Rep.
Frederica Wilson and Donald Trump and John Kelly. "Gen. Kelly that he was stunned that Rep Wilson made comments at a building dedication honoring slain FBI actions in Congress," Sanders said. "As Gen. Kelly pointed out, 'If you are able to make a sacred act such as honoring American heroes, you're an empty barrel,'" Sanders said.
Sanders on Trump phone call: "Certainly, if the spirit of which the comments were intended [was] misunderstood, that's very unfortunate." pic.twitter.com/Bm4k6eyTwW
— CBS News (@CBSNews) October 20, 2017
Not stopping there, Sarah Huckabee Sanders appeared annoyed with the constant line of questioning about the issue at hand, and snapped back at a reporter. "If you want to go after General Kelly, that's up to you," Sanders said.
Twitter reacts
Within minutes of her defense of John Kelly and Donald Trump in their feud with Rep. Frederica Wilson, critics of the president fired back. "We can respect Gen Kelly 4 his military service AND call him out 4 lying 4Trump. We can walk & chew gum, too," one tweet read.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders is the perfect gaslighting mouthpiece for Trump. Watching her sanctimonious bs makes me ill.
— Vivian Taylor (@vtaylor9188) October 20, 2017
Donald Trump is so painfully beyond human decency, no amount of spin-doctoring by Sarah Huckabee Sanders or a 4-Star General can fix it.
— Matt Lipton (@mattliptoncomic) October 20, 2017
I can’t stand Sarah Huckabee Sanders. She’s a lying idiot just like the rest!!
— Askrosej (@askrosej) October 20, 2017
"Donald Trump is so painfully beyond human decency, no amount of spin-doctoring by Sarah Huckabee Sanders or a 4-Star General can fix it," another tweet added. "(SHS) is the perfect gas-lighting mouthpiece for Trump. Watching her sanctimonious bs makes me ill," one Twitter user wrote.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders really just told a member of the the WH press that he had no business disputing a 4 star General's words. Wtf?
— Ricky Davila 🇵🇷 (@TheRickyDavila) October 20, 2017
Sarah Huckabee Sanders just said Trump admin has faced unprecedented obstruction of its nominees. A lie wrapped in victim hood. Great look.
— ISignedUp4It Lisa (@Lisa_Battleaxe) October 20, 2017
Sarah Huckabee Sanders,
— Elaine (@rosalita2740) October 20, 2017
We can respect Gen Kelly 4 his military service
AND
call him out 4 lying 4 Trump.
We can walk & chew gum, too.
"(SHS) just said it’s inappropriate for the press to question the military generals’ statements. WTF?" a social media user noted. "Looking at (SHS), I think we can assume that there was a recent sale of eye-shadow at Walmart," yet another tweet added. As the backlash continued, it was made clear that those who oppose the current administration were not going to hold back anytime soon.