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Sully Sullenberger slams ‘coward’ Trump for mocking war dead, Internet says ‘Americans should listen to him’

‘For the first time in American history, a president has repeatedly shown utter and vulgar contempt and disrespect for those who have served and died serving our country,’ Sully wrote on Twitter

Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger slammed President Donald Trump, without directly naming him, in a long Twitter thread on Friday, September 4. This comes after a bombshell report in The Atlantic which alleged that POTUS that Trump did not think it was important to honor the American war dead, according to four sources. Moreover, he also allegedly called more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.

On Friday, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden retweeted the article shared by Jeffrey Golberg and said, “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.”

Sullenberger, a former Air Force fighter pilot and captain, is known for his ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. After 30 years as a commercial pilot, he retired in 2010. Earlier this year, Sullenberger endorsed Biden at a Nevada caucus rally, according to Mediaite.

On September 4, he started a Twitter thread, saying, “I am a veteran. I volunteered for military service during wartime. So did my father. His generation saved the world from fascism.” He continued, “In our travels, my wife Lorrie and I have always made it a point to visit military bases, hospitals and cemeteries, to meet and honor those who serve and have served our nation.”

He elucidated, “I have long known that serving a cause greater than oneself is the highest calling, whether in the military or in civilian life. And I have always tried to be a voice of reason and to speak in a measured way.” Sullenberger further stated that it is “time to call out egregious behavior for what it is.”

Without naming Trump, he said, “For the first time in American history, a president has repeatedly shown utter and vulgar contempt and disrespect for those who have served and died serving our country.” He continued, “While I am not surprised, I am disgusted by the current occupant of the Oval Office. He has repeatedly and consistently shown himself to be completely unfit for and to have no respect for the office he holds.”

Sullenberger continued, “He took an oath of office that is similar to the one that each person takes who enters the U.S. Military. But he has completely failed to uphold his oath. Now we know why. He has admitted that he cannot comprehend the concept of service above self.” He added, “He cannot understand selflessness because he is selfish. He cannot conceive of courage because he is a coward. He cannot feel duty because he is disloyal.”

Concluding his Twitter thread and attaching The Atlantic report, Sullenberger said, “We owe it not only to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation, but to ourselves and to succeeding generations to vote him out.”

Twitter users lauded Sullenberger's comments and spoke out in his support. A Twitter user said, “I didn’t see Sully as someone very political. But this is beyond politics.”

One said, “This race is over. When you’ve lost Sully...you are done!”

One said, “Sully saved all those passengers with literally a wing and a prayer and now he's trying to save America. Americans should listen to Sully.”

One commented, “An American hero chews out an American embarrassment. Go, Sully!”

Another user expressed gratitude, “Thank you Captain Sully for your words! And thank you for your service.”

We had previously reported that military veterans took to Twitter and expressed their disdain after The Atlantic report came out. And it continued further as The Lincoln Project tweeted, “Have your or someone in your family served in the military? Please respond to this tweet with a photo and #WeRespectVets. Let's show @realDonaldTrump what real heroes look like. #WeRespectVets.”

Soon #WeRespectVets started trending. People shared their personal stories and stories of their loved one serving the country on Twitter. One said, “My grandfather Earl Everett Crouse served honorably in the Army Air Corps in World War II. He was not a sucker. #WeRespectVets.”

A user shared a photo of him and shared, “Me wasting my time on some random loser who was stupid enough not only to enlist in the military, but sucker enough to get hurt. What was in it for him, I wonder? #WeRespectVets.”

Another said, “My Dad was a Marine. He served in Vietnam. He was NOT a 'sucker.' #WeRespectVets.”

Another user shared, “My dad served in the US Navy as a Radioman in WW2 & Korean War. My son is currently serving as a senior Airman in the USAF. I’m bookended by two men who chose to serve the greatest country in the world. We are a military family & #WeRespectVets.”

A user shared a photo and tweeted, “Army Dad with Navy Son #WeRespectVets.”