(DailyVantage.com) – The Atlantic is under fire for a new article by editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg that accuses former President Donald Trump of making disparaging remarks about the family of slain Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén. The article claims that Trump refused to pay funeral costs for Guillén, saying, “It doesn’t cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f—ing Mexican!” and alleges Trump became upset upon receiving a $60,000 bill for the service. Guillién’s family attorney Natalie Khawam and her sister, Mayra, have publicly denied the claims, calling the story untrue and politically motivated. Khawam accused Goldberg of lying and of misrepresenting their interactions for “cheap political gain,” pointing out that the timing of the report is suspect, as the alleged incident took place four years ago. Former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, also disputed the claims, saying Trump was supportive of Guillén’s family and committed to helping them. He labeled Goldberg’s piece “a hit piece” and a “lie,” emphasizing that Trump only showed respect and compassion toward the family. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Meadows reiterated that Trump never made the alleged statement and dismissed Goldberg’s reporting as inaccurate.
The allegations also echo a previous report by Goldberg in 2020, which claimed that Trump referred to fallen soldiers as “suckers” and “losers” during a visit to a World War I cemetery. That story was similarly based on anonymous sources and faced significant backlash and denials from Trump and multiple White House officials.
The controversy stirs growing tensions as the 2024 presidential election approaches, with some Trump supporters arguing the story is intended to sway public opinion against him. Trump supporters and former administration members have voiced strong criticism of Goldberg’s use of anonymous sources and timing of the release, with former Trump press secretary Kayleigh McEnany recalling similar issues with Goldberg’s past reporting.
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