‘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
UPDATED JUN 29, 2024
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

Obama strategist David Plouffe noted a small group urged Biden to run, citing donor support, but he dismissed it as insufficient to mount a campaign
4 hours ago
The Vermont senator said President Trump only focuses on wealth and power and has little to no empathy for his fellow humans.
5 hours ago
Elon Musk posted on X that he would pay TSA workers during the shutdown, saying it is hurting the lives of 'many Americans at airports nationwide'
5 hours ago
In response to the deployment of ICE agents to airports, Gavin Newsom's press office said the agency had become Trump's 'personal police force'
5 hours ago
Rep Comer claims President Trump’s decision to deploy ICE in airports across the US will "drive Democrats crazy."
5 hours ago
Throughout his presidency, Trump has repeatedly mocked Joe Biden with nicknames and claims that many of his official actions were mechanically signed
6 hours ago
Trump said Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, pushed for a military intervention in Iran
8 hours ago
Markwayne Mullin steps into the role after Kristi Noem's exit to lead Donald Trump's hardline immigration enforcement effort
9 hours ago
Trump signed a replica of one of Elvis’s guitars and quipped that his White House predecessor, Joe Biden, 'couldn’t do that'
9 hours ago
While Donald Trump touted 'detailed and constructive' talks as he announced a five-day pause on strikes, Iran claimed no negotiations were underway
9 hours ago