The remarks aren't exactly eloquent, and contain none of the specific proposals you might want from someone running for president, but they clearly don't aim to insult veterans. The controversy came purely from people pulling out the "... you're strong and can handle it, but a lot of people can't" line and omitting the part where he demanded more help for those same people and called them "great." If clumsy wording implies one meaning but is clarified moments later, it's dishonest to keep pushing the former.
But don't take our word for it. Ask the guy whose question Trump was responding to, former Marine staff sergeant Chad Robichaux:
"I think it's sickening that anyone would twist Mr. Trump's comments to me in order to pursue a political agenda. I took his comments to be thoughtful and understanding of the struggles many veterans have, and I believe he is committed to helping them."
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"I believe he even sent in a couple of box tops."
So why bother clarifying the comments of a guy most of you think is a dick anyway? Because this bullshit makes it impossible to talk about the issues. With every news article jumping on Trump's "gaffe," there was no room to mention that he was responding to a policy question with a real policy answer which people might want to talk about. Robichaux asked him if he would consider moving past government agencies in treating PTSD and try religious solutions. Trump's reply (before launching into those remarks): "Yes, I would."
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