Trump Minimizes U.S. Troops’ Traumatic Brain Injuries in Iraq to a Simple ‘Headache’

WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump made headlines on Tuesday by downplaying the traumatic brain injuries suffered by U.S. troops from Iranian missile strikes in Iraq in January 2020. He referred to their experiences as merely a “headache,” which contradicts the circumstances surrounding the attack and the subsequent diagnoses of many soldiers.

During a press event in Milwaukee, a reporter questioned Trump about whether he should have taken a firmer stance against Iran following its ballistic missile attack on Al-Asad Air Base. This base, one of the largest used during the U.S. invasion, remains a location for U.S. troops in Iraq focused on anti-ISIS operations.

Trump responded by questioning the very definition of injury, suggesting that the reported brain injuries stemmed from soldiers hearing the loud sounds of the explosions rather than actual physical trauma. “None of those very accurate missiles hit our fort,” he stated, ignoring evidence of damage observed on the base.

Reports indicate that U.S. troops at the base were ordered into bunkers as 16 missiles, each carrying warheads exceeding 1,000 pounds, struck the area. While no deaths were reported, numerous soldiers were exposed to blast waves, resulting in over 100 cases of diagnosed traumatic brain injuries that earned several personnel the Purple Heart.

Those affected have reported lasting symptoms, including chronic migraines, vertigo, memory issues, and vision impairment—a far cry from the trivialization expressed by Trump. This isn’t the first instance where the former president has dismissed the severity of these injuries.

The missile attacks were executed in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani just days prior. The documented damage to the installation has been corroborated by various media outlets through photographs and satellite imagery. CBS News’ “60 Minutes” even aired a segment detailing firsthand accounts from affected soldiers.

Amid ongoing military tensions in the region, the Pentagon has reported that Iranian assaults continue to target U.S. installations in Iraq, with the backdrop of escalating violence in the Middle East following a significant incursion by Hamas into southern Israel.