Yahoo News Campaign to raise money for children of grieving widow of soldier at centre of Trump storm raises $150,000 in a day
A campaign to raise money for the children of a US soldier killed in Niger has raised over $150,000.
Green Beret Army Sergeant La David T. Johnson, 25, was killed while fighting against Boko Haram, leaving behind wife Myeshia Johnson and two children aged 2 and 6.
Now, a GoFundMe campaign to provide funding for the children’s college education has raised over $150,000 after Johnson’s widow was reportedly told by President Donald Trump that her husband was aware of the risks that he was undertaking.
According to Democrat representative Frederica Wilson, the callous comments were made as she listened to part of the US president’s call with the grieving woman on speaker phone while she was with the family in a car.
Ms Wilson said: ‘Basically he said, “Well, I guess he knew what he signed up for, but I guess it still hurt”.’
In the hours since the revelation, the page has been swamped with donations, along with messages of support from assorted well-wishers.
Suzanne Simon wrote: ‘My heart aches for each of you who know and love and grieve for Sgt. La David T. Johnson. Thank you for allowing those of us who don’t even know him, to express our condolences and shared sorrow with this opportunity to help his children in some small way.’
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Another said: ‘Please accept my condolences for your loss of your loved one. I believe that your son made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us to live in peace. His children should be very proud of his valor and his service to his country. I will always think of him when I see my own grandchildren.’
Before the phone call to Mrs Johnson, Trump had defended his silence, falsely accusing former leader Barack Obama of failing to call the families of dead soldiers.
