Investigative reporter for the Associated Press and former Marine James LaPorta has verified through two sources the story in The Atlantic of President Trump denigrating military KIA, WIA and POWs, dealing a significant blow to Trump’s claimed respect for the military.

https://twitter.com/JimLaPorta/status/1301655895852670978

LaPorta’s first confirmation “in its entirety” is a strong affirmation of the story by The Atlantic‘s Jeffrey Goldberg.  LaPorta’s second confirming source, a US Marine officer who is also a senior Defense Department Official, had specific knowledge verifying the fact the of the story, according to his interview on the Rachel Maddow Show.

Additionally, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden denounced Trump’s statements and conduct.

NEW: @JoeBiden weighs in on @JeffreyGoldberg’s latest pic.twitter.com/4BO9c5LzXd

— Andrew Feinberg (@AndrewFeinberg) September 4, 2020

Biden also tweeted a short response:

Here’s my promise to you: If I have the honor of serving as the next commander in chief, I will ensure that our American heroes know that I will have their back and honor their sacrifice. Always. https://t.co/wMFHHscD51

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 4, 2020

Trump’s disdain for the military has been spotlighted frequently lately.  In a passage from the recent book by Mary Trump, the president’s niece, Trump allegedly told his son, Don Jr., that he would disinherit him if he joined the Army.

Trump’s claims that he’s been to “many, many” “dignified transfer” services for the remains of military members killed overseas was also proven to be a lie.  In fact, Trump has attended just four of the more than 100 such ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

An update to The Atlantic piece includes this statement from White House spokesperson Alyssa Farah, the daughter of World Net Daily owner James Farrah:

“This report is false. President Trump holds the military in the highest regard. He’s demonstrated his commitment to them at every turn: delivering on his promise to give our troops a much needed pay raise, increasing military spending, signing critical veterans reforms, and supporting military spouses. This has no basis in fact.”