Trump Criticized for Downplaying Troops' Brain Injuries

Donald Trump is facing criticism for downplaying the traumatic brain injuries suffered by 109 U.S. service members after an Iranian missile attack on the al-Asad Air Base in Iraq in January 2020. During a recent campaign event, Trump referred to the injuries as mere 'headaches' despite the Pentagon confirming many soldiers were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, with 29 receiving Purple Hearts. His comments have sparked backlash from veterans and political figures, including Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Walz. This is not the first time Trump has minimized these injuries; he made similar remarks shortly after the attack in 2020. Trump's repeated downplaying of the injuries continues to draw condemnation as he campaigns for the presidency, emphasizing his purported toughness on Iran while confusing it with Iraq.