Donald Trump under attack from veterans over claims he called the casualties of war ‘losers’

President Donald Trump was forced to deny describing US war dead as “losers” after facing the condemnation of veteran groups.

He was criticised as a “coward” after The Atlantic magazine claimed he made the remarks in 2018 ahead of a cancelled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France.

Four sources allegedly confirmed that President Trump told his entourage that soldiers buried at the cemetery near Paris were “suckers” and the land was “filled with losers”.

President Trump was due to visit the cemetery for a commemoration but the White House told reporters bad weather meant he had to cancel the visit.

However, it was reported that the Secret Service only said helicopter travel was risky and offered to drive him there.

President Trump responded he did not want to visit the cemetery because it was “filled with losers”, according to The Atlantic, and he was concerned the inclement weather would mess up his hair.

In another conversation on the trip Mr Trump referred to the 1,800 Marines who died in the First World War battle of Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed, The Atlantic reported.

President Trump tweeted: “This is more made up Fake News given by disgusting and jealous failures in a disgraceful attempt to influence the 2020 Election!”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said President Trump’s remarks were “a disgrace” and called on him to apologise. Mr Biden’s son Beau served in Iraq in 2008 and 2009.

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth – a former Army pilot who lost her legs in combat in a helicopter crash in the Iraq War – said President Trump had “insulted war heroes”.

And Khizr Khan, the father of an Army captain killed in the Iraq War, said President Trump’s “soul is that of a coward.”

The White House mounted a robust defence of President Trump amid fears that the remarks could further diminish his chances of re-election.

Most polls show President Trump trailing his rival Mr Biden in both battleground states and national polling.

White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said: “It’s sad the depths that people will go to during a lead-up to a presidential campaign to try to smear somebody.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he was with the president for part of the trip to France two years ago. Mr Pompeo recalled: “I never heard him use the words that are described in that article.”