‘The Word Guy’: Mike Johnson called out as he debunks Joe Biden’s claim of not having troops ‘dying anywhere in the world’ under his watch

Mike Johnson read out a list of US soldiers who lost their lives in Kabul in 2021
Mike Johnson fact-checked Joe Biden about losing troops during his presidency at a press conference on June 28, 2024 (Getty Images, Speaker Mike Johnson/Facebook)
Mike Johnson fact-checked Joe Biden about losing troops during his presidency at a press conference on June 28, 2024 (Getty Images, Speaker Mike Johnson/Facebook)

WASHINGTON, DC: Speaker Mike Johnson delivered a brutal fact-check of President Joe Biden at a press briefing on Friday, June 28, following the first presidential debate.

The presumptive Democratic nominee faced off with his Republican rival, former President Donald Trump, the previous night in Atlanta for a closely moderated debate hosted by CNN. The incumbent was widely slammed for his abysmal performance through the night, with many of his supporters calling for him to step down.

U.S. President Joe Biden (R) and Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump participate in the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. President Biden and former President Trump are facing off in the first presidential debate of the 2024 campaign. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
 President Joe Biden and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump participate in the CNN Presidential Debate at the CNN Studios on June 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

While Trump was accused of twisting facts in his favor through the night, Biden was also not spared from the allegation of speaking falsehood at the debate either.

While sparring with Trump on stage, Biden brought up Trump's frequent claims that the United States military was better off during the previous presidency.

"The truth is, I'm the only president this century, that doesn't have any - this decade - that doesn't have any troops dying anywhere in the world, like he did," claimed the 46th commander-in-chief, seemingly forgetting about the death of 13 US soldiers in Kabul in 2021 when Hamid Karzai International Airport's Abbey Gate was attacked by ISIS-K during the evacuation of Afghanistan.



 

What did Mike Johnson say about Joe Biden's statement?

"I wanted to correct one thing about the record because President Biden showed last night that he was weak, sadly, that he is feeble, and he said a number of things that are just demonstrably untrue," Johnson told reporters on Friday.

"One of the things that was most staggering that we heard him say was that on his watch, we have not lost any American troops... Obviously, that is not true," he shared, calling it "shocking and sad" as he proceeded to read the list of soldiers who "lost their lives during (Biden's) disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan".

The list included Marine Corps Staff Sgt Darin T Hoover, Marine Corps Sgt Johanny Rosario, Marine Corps Sgt Nicole L. Gee, Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Marine Corps Cpl Daegan W. Page, Marine Corps Cpl Humberto A. Sanchez, Marine Corps Lance Cpl David L Espinoza, Marine Corps Lance Cpl Jared M Schmitz, Marine Corps Lance Cpl Rylee J McCollum, Marine Corps Lance Cpl Dylan R Merola, Marine Corps Lance Cpl Kareem M Nikoui, Navy Petty Officer, Third Class Maxton W Soviak, Army Staff Sgt Ryan C Knauss.

"Mr President, there's 13 examples of troops that were lost under your watch and it's shameful that apparently you cannot remember them. We do, and we will honor their memory," concluded Johnson.



 

Internet reacts to Mike Johnson's remarks

The Speaker was slammed for his comments on the social media platform X, as the following tweets demonstrate.

"You gonna call out the falsehoods galore on both sides (esp dt) or just cherrypick?" inquired a user.



 

"You sir, are as big a part of the problem as any," stated another.



 

"If your words matched your actions I might care what you have to say," shared a third.



 

"The problem is you’re a RINO and this is all show!!" exclaimed a fourth user.



 

"The Word Guy," jibed a fifth.



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Charles Kushner said his decision was motivated less by Zohran Mamdani's socialist policies than by concerns over his stance on Jews and Israel
3 hours ago
Rep Thomas Massie challenged the Pentagon's casualty reporting and questioned the legality of continued Iran operations under Pete Hegseth
4 hours ago
The White House said the measures are aimed at addressing forced labor concerns in global supply chains
4 hours ago
Rep Josh Gottheimer criticized Zohran Mamdani’s policy positions and warned that progressive activists are moving the party away from its roots
5 hours ago
Trump said the move was 'fair and equitable,' but did not explain which frozen Iranian funds would be used or the legal process for accessing them
5 hours ago
Sen John Fetterman challenges Zohran Mamdani's authority on foreign affairs, accusing him of focusing on politics instead of governing New York
6 hours ago
Donald Trump said expanding AI infrastructure would create jobs and argued developers should bear the costs of new power demands
7 hours ago
Donald Trump made the remark while hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers at the White House after presenting them with their 2025 World Series honors
8 hours ago
US District Judge Arun Subramanian questioned the government's approach before prosecutors agreed to drop the contested requests
9 hours ago
Karoline Leavitt said President Trump received loud applause after backing voter ID, calling it 'common sense' for US elections
13 hours ago