A False Claim About 18 Months of No U.S. Fatalities
During the TikTok video, Trump stated, “We didn’t lose one person in 18 months. And then they took over that disaster,” implying that no U.S. troops were killed in Afghanistan during the last 18 months of his presidency.
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However, this claim was quickly debunked as false. The last 18 months saw multiple troop fatalities, with a significant attack occurring in early 2020.
What Really Happened in Trump’s Final 18 Months
From July 2019 to January 2021, the final 18 months of Trump’s presidency, 12 U.S. soldiers were killed in hostile actions in Afghanistan.
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These deaths occurred well within the 18-month timeframe Trump referenced to Gold Star families.
The TikTok Video That Went Viral
The video posted on TikTok shows Trump talking to the families of the fallen soldiers, with his voice-over echoing the misleading statement. A cemetery employee had reportedly attempted to stop Trump’s entourage from filming, citing federal law prohibiting election-related activities at military cemeteries.
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However, the cameras were allowed to roll, capturing the conversation that led to the misleading claim.
The Timeline That Debunks Trump’s Claim
A closer look at the timeline reveals the truth: while the last 11 months of Trump’s presidency saw no fatalities, that period extended into the first seven months of Biden’s presidency.
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The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan under Biden, marked by the tragic Abbey Gate bombing, happened months after Trump had left office. This combined 18-month period is the source of Trump’s misleading statement.
Trump’s Deal with the Taliban
In March 2020, Trump approved a deal with the Taliban, agreeing to withdraw all U.S. forces by May 1, 2021. The agreement was meant to cease violence, but its implementation raised concerns.
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Trump bragged about the deal during several campaign rallies, crediting it for the reduction in troop deaths. However, the long-term impact of the deal led to increased instability and chaos.
A Bragging Point at Campaign Rallies
At the rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Trump boasted, “For 18 months, we didn’t have one American soldier killed in Afghanistan.” He repeated similar claims at other rallies, leaving the impression that this period of calm only occurred under his watch.
Source: Ali Shaker/VOA/Wikimedia Commons
These remarks conveniently left out the crucial detail that the final months of the 18-month span occurred during Biden’s administration.
The Abbey Gate Tragedy
On August 26, 2021, seven months into Biden’s presidency, a suicide bombing at Kabul’s airport killed 13 U.S. service members during the chaotic evacuation. The bomber was identified as Abdul Rahman al-Logari, a member of the ISIS-K terrorist group.
Source: Wikimedia
Trump has often pointed to this event to highlight the “disaster” of Biden’s withdrawal, contrasting it with the quieter period before the bombing.
Why Trump’s Statement Matters to Gold Star Families
For the families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan, Trump’s misleading statement can be a painful distortion of reality. These families experienced the ultimate loss and deserve truth, especially when visiting the graves of their loved ones.
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Trump’s claim dismisses the sacrifices made by the soldiers who died in the final 18 months of his presidency, including those ambushed in February 2020.
Fact-Checking the 18-Month Gap
Using the Defense Casualty Analysis System, fact-checkers reviewed the deaths in Afghanistan during Trump’s presidency. The final 18 months of his administration saw several hostile fatalities, contradicting his claim of no deaths.
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While it’s true that the final months of his presidency were quieter, this period overlaps with Biden’s presidency and does not solely reflect Trump’s policies.
Consequences of Misleading Remarks
When leaders make inaccurate statements about military fatalities, it can undermine the trust between the government and the public.
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In this case, Trump’s claim was not only misleading but also hurtful to the families of fallen soldiers.
Legacy of the Afghanistan Withdrawal
The Afghanistan withdrawal remains a controversial chapter in U.S. history. Trump’s deal with the Taliban set the stage for the chaos that followed under Biden.
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While Trump’s claim of 18 months without fatalities was factually incorrect, the situation on the ground was far more complex than he’s led on.