‘Yup, stolen valor’: Internet fumes as Donald Trump defends JR Majewski despite his exaggerated military record

DAYTON, OHIO: During a campaign rally in Ohio on Saturday afternoon, Mrach 16, former President Donald Trump hailed JR Majewski, a controversial ex-congressional candidate, as a "hero" who was “treated very unfairly".

“Now, JR, you know, they hit JR very hard, I have to tell you. These are friends of mine,” Trump remarked.

“JR was a hero and is a hero, and they hit him very hard with false stuff that he wasn't a hero. And after the election, they found out he was,” the 77-year-old added. “And on behalf of our country, I'd like to apologize to JR Majewski because you were treated very unfairly.”

What else did Trump say about JR Majewski during his rally?

The MAGA strongman continued, “So, okay? You were treated very unfairly. The guy was a hero, and they came out with a narrative that he wasn't a hero, and I think it's a disgrace. A disgrace.”

Trump then recounted to the rally attendees how he came to know about the former GOP congressional candidate.

The former POTUS recalled, “I got to know him because he was carving the name Trump into farmland as I was flying over your state. And I'd say, boy, that's the biggest Trump I've ever seen. Those are the biggest letters. And I said, who did that? And his name is JR Majewski, and I just thought it was great.”

“And I introduced him, and then he went into a primary with six very talented, good people, and he was not even thought about. And he ended up winning that primary because of one rally where I introduced him,” the 2024 GOP presidential nominee said. “But he is a hero and everybody now knows it. Thank you, JR, very much. Appreciate it.”

Majewski, who was the GOP nominee running against Democrat Marcy Kaptur in 2022, faced a pretty severe controversy due to his dishonesty about his military career record.

According to The Associated Press, the Air Force veteran had exaggerated his service record and lied about serving in Afghanistan.

He had claimed that he was deployed to Afghanistan following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but his military service records revealed that he was actually based at an air base in Japan and had a job loading up planes at an air base in Qatar.

In addition, Majewski attended the Jan 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol, and he faced backlash for using an ableist slur during a podcast appearance in February this year, per The Hill.

Majewski recently ended his second bid for Rep Marcy Kaptur’s (D-Ohio) seat, failing to advance to the Ohio GOP primary scheduled for next Monday.

Majewski tweeted an official statement on X regarding his decision to end his recent congressional bid, where he asserted, “While I know I would win, and have a great shot in the general election now that my record was cleared, it is inevitable that the Deep State will do whatever it takes to fight against me.”

“Even going as far as attacking my family and once again accusing me of stolen valor,” he added.

Internet slams Trump for waxing lyrical on JR Majewski

People on X ripped into the former President for defending white lies regarding JR Majewski’s military record.

One X user remarked: "“Hit him with false stuff” AKA “accurately reported things that he’d lied about.”"

Another user said: "Uhh, you don't speak "on behalf of our country.""

Another user claimed: "Trump loves dudes who lie about their military service and mocks Special Olympics athletes."

One user quipped: "Yeah. They 'hit him hard' with HIS *false stuff*."

Another X user wrote: "Yup, stolen valor is now a mainstay in MAGA."

Finally, this user tweeted: "I think this is the first apology Trump has ever publicly given, even tho a lie."

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.