Trump was furious after he received a 60K bill for slain soldier Vanessa Guillen's funeral, claims report
KILLEEN, TEXAS: Former president Donald Trump is no stranger to controversy, and a recent report has added another chapter to the heated debates surrounding his actions during his time in office.
The Atlantic has claimed that Trump made disparaging remarks after receiving a funeral bill for slain US soldier Vanessa Guillen, a case that captured the nation’s attention in 2020.
According to the article, Trump lashed out at the $60,000 cost, allegedly saying, “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f****** Mexican,” a comment that has since stirred significant outrage and led to staunch denials from Trump’s camp.
Donald Trump got angry after he was asked to pay $60K for Vanessa Guillen's funeral
Vanessa Guillen, a 20-year-old Army private, was brutally murdered in April 2020 by a fellow soldier at Fort Hood in Texas.
Her case, which remained unsolved for months, gained national attention, particularly due to the mishandling of her disappearance and the military's initial failure to investigate properly.
Guillen’s family, heartbroken and seeking justice, became vocal advocates for military reform, eventually leading to the passing of the 'I Am Vanessa Guillen Act', aimed at addressing sexual harassment and assault in the military.
After Guillen’s burned remains were discovered two months after her death, the tragic case struck a chord with people across the country.
It wasn’t long before her story reached the White House, and Donald Trump invited her grieving family to discuss the case and pay tribute to Guillen’s life and service.
During this emotional meeting, Trump reportedly described her as a “spectacular person” and offered financial support, even suggesting he would help with funeral arrangements.
However, it’s what allegedly transpired after this offer that has ignited controversy.
According to The Atlantic, Trump’s initial promise to cover funeral costs was met with anger once he saw the $60,000 bill, resulting in his alleged outburst.
The publication claims that Trump expressed disbelief at the price and accused Guillen's family of trying to take advantage of him, allegedly saying, “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f****** Mexican.”
Donald Trump’s camp was quick to refute the story
Following the release of the report, Donald Trump's campaign adviser, Alex Pfeiffer, was quick to refute the story.
“President Donald Trump never said that. This is an outrageous lie from The Atlantic two weeks before the election,” Pfeiffer said in a statement to The Independent.
Kash Patel, Trump’s former Pentagon chief of staff, who was reportedly present at the meeting in question, also strongly denied the claim.
In his defense of the former president, Patel said, “Of course, President Trump didn’t say that. President Trump ensured that this victim received full military honors.”
Patel went on to praise Trump’s efforts to support Guillen’s family during an extremely difficult time.
“As someone who was present in the room with President Trump during that meeting… he strongly urged that Spc. Vanessa Guillen’s grieving family should not have to bear the cost of any funeral arrangements, even offering to personally pay himself in order to honor her life and sacrifice,” Patel added.
He further highlighted Trump’s role in ensuring that Guillen’s death was classified as occurring “in the line of duty,” which entitled her family to military benefits and financial assistance.
Trump’s former chief of staff Mark Meadowsvechoed similar sentiments, calling the allegations “absolutely false” and defending the GOP presidential nominee's character in the situation.
Meadows stated that Trump “was nothing but kind, gracious, and wanted to make sure that the military and the US government did right by Vanessa Guillen and her family.”
