Mayra Guillen, the sister of deceased U.S. Army soldier Vanessa Guillen, fiercely rejected claims made in a recent article by The Atlantic, which sought to discredit former President Donald Trump by alleging he became angry over the cost of Vanessa’s funeral. The report claimed that Trump offered to cover the expenses but later expressed frustration during a December 2020 meeting when informed that the funeral costs amounted to $60,000. Guillen took to social media platform X to express her disappointment, saying that exploiting her sister’s tragic death for political aims is disrespectful. She asserted that Trump had always treated her family with respect, even declaring that she voted for him, further emphasizing that Vanessa’s demise should not be politicized.
The Atlantic’s report, authored by Jeffrey Goldberg—who previously penned a contentious article claiming Trump referred to fallen WWII veterans as “suckers and losers”—did not disclose any identifiable sources for its accusations. Guillen’s statement reiterated that her family and the broader military community benefitted positively from Trump’s actions and character during their time of grief. The article attempted to cast doubt on the authenticity of Guillen’s statement, yet she reinforced her sentiments publicly and through retweets, demonstrating her support for Trump. Her assertions followed a narrative that painted the former president positively in his support of the military community, particularly during the aftermath of her sister’s death.
Former Trump officials, including Mark Meadows, refuted The Atlantic’s claims by firmly asserting that Trump expressed nothing but kindness during discussions about Guillen’s funeral expenses. Meadows characterized any suggestion of Trump disparaging Vanessa or her family as simply false. Alongside her family’s legal counsel, Natalie Khawam, Guillen condemned Goldberg’s reporting, calling it a manipulation of tragedy for sensationalist political gain. Khawam accused Goldberg of misrepresenting their discussions and raised questions about the “timing” of the allegations, insinuating that the motives behind the article were dubious, especially in light of the approaching election.
Various Trump administration veterans corroborated these denials, emphasizing that Trump not only wanted to alleviate the financial burden on the Guillen family but also worked to ensure Vanessa received military honors. They claimed that any allegation of racial insensitivity or negative comments regarding her ethnicity were fabricated. Figures like Kash Patel and Ben Williamson highlighted how Trump was genuinely concerned for the Guillen family and was determined to provide assistance during a profoundly difficult time. They reiterated that he took active steps to designate Vanessa’s death as occurring “in the line of duty,” which allowed her family to access benefits typically afforded under such circumstances.
Moreover, the report alleged that Trump made offensive comments regarding military leadership, suggesting he desired to emulate the generalship of historical figures like Hitler. This claim was categorically dismissed by Trump’s supporters, who argued that such statements do not align with his demonstrated concern for U.S. military personnel. Pfeiffer called the article an “outrageous lie,” indicating the dismay among Trump’s backers that The Atlantic would use this opportunity to manipulate public perception close to election time. Further reinforcing this stance, testimonies from relatives of soldiers killed during the recent evacuation of Afghanistan portrayed Trump positively, presenting him as a dedicated advocate for military families even after leaving office.
Supporters emphasized that their experiences with Trump contradicted media portrayals of him as insensitive toward military families, highlighting personal encounters that demonstrated his compassion and commitment. They contrasted the perceived neglect they faced from current administration officials to the prioritization they experienced under Trump’s leadership. Guillen’s family, along with prominent figures from Trump’s administration, asserted that his comments were taken out of context or completely fabricated, aiming to corrode the current political landscape and undermine Trump’s standing with the military community, particularly in light of the pending elections.
With the backdrop of Vanessa Guillen’s tragic circumstances, her family continues to seek justice and recognition for the changes brought about following her death, underscoring the fight for service members’ rights while advocating against political exploitation of their grief. Their ongoing journey reiterates the complexity of honoring the memory of a loved one while navigating the often turbulent waters of political discourse in America, marked by differing narratives around service, sacrifice, and the role of military families.
