During an interview on The Mark Levin Show, Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “war hero” and added, “I guess I am, too,” referencing U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites earlier this year. The comment drew criticism from figures like former GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger, a military veteran, who called the remark “shocking.”
Trump’s self-comparison comes amid controversy over his administration’s planned cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs and broader scrutiny of his leadership ahead of the 2026 midterms. Critics argue the remark may alienate veterans, while activists plan nationwide protests on Labor Day targeting Trump’s policies and rhetoric.