Remember that story last year about President Trump’s security detail canceling a visit to a WW1 memorial in France because of the weather? The media narrative at the time was that the real reason was the president didn’t want to get his hair wet:
One Republican tells VF Trump didn't want to go to the cemetery in France was because there wasn't a tent to stand under. "He was worried his hair was going to get messed up in the rain," the source said. "Everyone was telling him this was a big mistake." https://t.co/UrJsY1A7W8
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) November 15, 2018
The president himself pushed back on the story, saying he wanted to drive but the Secret Service said “no”:
By the way, when the helicopter couldn’t fly to the first cemetery in France because of almost zero visibility, I suggested driving. Secret Service said NO, too far from airport & big Paris shutdown. Speech next day at American Cemetery in pouring rain! Little reported-Fake News!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2018
Anyway, BuzzFeed News’ Jason Leopold sent a FOIA request to the Navy to get the real story and it turns out the White House was telling the truth:
NEW via my #FOIA from Dept of the Navy.
Remember last November when WH said Trump could not attend WW1 memorial at US cemetery in France due to rain?
Well, his transport really was canceled by the Navy due to rain.
Emails pic.twitter.com/pkkKwsX2Bs
— Jason Leopold (@JasonLeopold) May 28, 2019
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That’s got to hurt:
Another media hoax proven false. https://t.co/QTFrQ7zpl7
— Matt Wolking (@MattWolking) May 28, 2019
Ladies and gentlemen, start your apologies!
"It was an embarrassment, and he let down our veterans, he let down our country," says former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel about Trump skipping a ceremony at an American burial ground in France because of rain https://t.co/ysb5xIdBtc pic.twitter.com/Wljzhg0RqI
— CNN (@CNN) November 12, 2018
"His failure to go because of the rain was an insult, not only to World War I veterans, but to all veterans." – Former DNI James Clapper criticizes President Trump for skipping an event honoring American troops killed in France during World War I, citing weather concerns. pic.twitter.com/SnfYlPIvq8
— CNN Tonight (@CNNTonight) November 13, 2018
The French Gov’t honored our Vets over Veterans Day weekend more than Trump did. The French walked in the rain for our Vets. Trump didn’t. The French went to Arlington National Cemetery to pay their respects. Trump didn’t. Thank you France for honoring our Veterans, unlike Trump.
— Scott Dworkin (@funder) November 14, 2018
Did Trump cancel visit to American Cemetery in France because of rain? Still can’t figure out how to work an umbrella? WTF?
— Claude Taylor (@TrueFactsStated) November 10, 2018
When Trump flies to France and then drops out of the ceremony at a military cemetery because of “rain” we must remember he’s a liar.
It could just be that he’s having a bad hair day that could be made much worse by the weather.
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) November 10, 2018
The leaders of France, Germany, Canada all paid tribute today to our fallen troops of WWI.
Trump cited a light rain as a reason to flake out. He’s apparently too busy watching Fox News and tweeting conspiracy theories. https://t.co/V6SKVAF061
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 10, 2018
Of all the "imagine-if-Obama-had-done it" stories, Trump's failure to honor the fallen Americans in France because of (light?) rain may be THE most "imagine-if-Obama-had-done-it" of all. https://t.co/lvcb3D74ag
— Jeff Greenfield (@greenfield64) November 10, 2018
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