The Pentagon is trying to run cover following Biden's Thursday night debate falsehood claiming that he is the "only" president this century who hasn't overseen American troop deaths "anywhere in the world". But journalists forced a belated response.
Here's what Biden asserted in the CNN debate with Trump: "The truth is, I'm the only president this century that doesn't have any this — this decade, that doesn't have any troops dying anywhere in the world, like [Trump] did." But the reality is...
BIDEN: "I’m the only president this century – this decade, that doesn’t have any troops dying anywhere in the world."
— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) June 28, 2024
Biden was literally at Dover Air Force Base earlier this year watching the caskets of three dead US soldiers being carried back from Jordan! pic.twitter.com/ShyD72qaBh
Newsmax and others have pointed out that all of the following happened under Biden, some which is relatively recent:
There have been 16 U.S. troops killed overseas since Biden took office, with 13 during the retreat from Afghanistan on Aug. 26, 2021, and three just five months ago in Jordan. Biden also glossed over the large number of U.S. troops that have perished in training incidents during his time in office.
In April 2023, nine soldiers were killed during a training exercise in Kentucky and 20 U.S. service members have been killed in Osprey-related crashed alone from March 2022 through November 2023, as noted by NBC News.
The Pentagon press secretary was asked about the discrepancy in a Friday press briefing, and whether she stands by the president's statement...
"Thank you for the question. For more on the president's comments and on the debate itself, I'd refer you to the White House," spokesperson Sabrina Singh said, trying to deflect the question.
"But in terms of our service members who have been killed in some tragic events around the world … you've seen the president call these families to express condolences. This is someone that has intimately experienced the commitment and dedication of what our military does," she added.
Singh was asked the same question a second time after the attempted dodge:
"Just to be clear, was the president's statement incorrect?"
"Again, not trying to get involved in that," Singh said.
A journalist pressed her for the third time: "Has President Biden had service members die anywhere in the world during his time in office?"
To which she reluctantly responded: "As you have reported on, we have certainly had service members pass during this administration, and you've seen not just the secretary, but the president, weigh in and comment and offer condolences," Singh finally admitted. She clearly tried to initially desperately avoid contradicting Biden's claim, but the truth proved too obvious in the end.
#BREAKING: Pentagon rebuts Biden's FALSE claim that NO American soldiers died under his presidency Contradicting him, Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh confirms US troops DID die during his term Just another false claim from Biden #Pentagon #Biden#ROADTOSTATEHOUSE pic.twitter.com/7BFV0dI5j3
— Global News Wire (@Global_NewsWire) June 28, 2024
Does Biden himself even remember what he tried to claim in the Thursday night debate?