Devendra Kumar
Bill Lyons, an 81-year-old U.S. Coast Guard veteran, has seen his fair share of rhetorical battles, but none have tested his loyalty like Donald Trump’s recent jabs at his rival Nikki Haley’s military husband, Michael Haley. As the commander of the American Legion Post in Sumter, South Carolina, Lyons finds it unacceptable that Trump would mock the military, yet his unwavering support for the former president remains unshaken. Lyons believes that Trump did a good job for the country during his time in office, and the fact that he has historically insulted military veterans didn’t sway him one bit.
Nikki Haley, on the other hand, has made Trump’s comments a central issue in her campaign, highlighting what she perceives as his history of disrespect towards veterans. She has also emphasized her husband’s deployment to Africa, as well as the importance of projecting American power overseas. The Suffolk University/USA TODAY poll seems to underscore Trump’s grip on voters with military ties, but some veterans appear to be growing wary of the former president’s antics.
Tommy Easler, an 80-year-old veteran, experienced a temporary pause in his support for Trump after Trump’s remarks about Michael Haley, and is now undecided between the two candidates, citing concerns about Haley’s potential involvement in foreign wars. Austin McCall, a 29-year-old Marine, continues to back Trump, citing his record of supporting the troops, but Kim Alsip, a 60-year-old retired Army nurse, plans to vote for Haley, attributing her decision to Trump’s behavior.
Alsip will support Trump in the general election if he becomes the Republican nominee, but her reservations about his behavior have not subsided. Despite the controversy surrounding Trump’s remarks, Lyons’ opinion remains unchanged. He believes that Trump did a good job for the country, despite his flaws, and that Haley’s campaign is focused too heavily on foreign policy. According to Lyons, the United States should prioritize its borders and address domestic issues rather than getting embroiled in foreign conflicts.
Lyons’ steadfast loyalty to Trump is remarkable, considering the former president’s history of insulting military veterans. Several other veterans interviewed expressed disapproval of Trump’s comments, but many did not find them disqualifying. While Trump’s campaign remained silent on the matter, Haley’s campaign has made the issue a central part of her campaign. The debate over Trump’s military record and his treatment of veterans is likely to continue, but for now, Lyons remains committed to his support for the former president, despite the controversy surrounding his remarks.