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Father of soldier killed in Niger recounts his call with Trump
President Donald Trump made condolences calls to the families of four fallen U.S. soldiers, who were killed in an ambush in Niger, earlier this week. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Father of soldier killed in Niger recounts his call with Trump

On the heels of allegations that President Donald Trump was disrespectful to the widow of a fallen soldier, the father of another slain soldier opened up about his phone call with the president.

What's the story?

Four Green Beret soldiers, Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, Sgt. La David Johnson, Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Johnson, and Staff Sgt. Bryan Black died in an ambush in Niger on Oct. 4. Two Americans were also wounded.

Trump made condolence calls earlier this week to the families of the fallen soldiers. Those calls are now under scrutiny.

What did Trump say?

Arnold Wright, father of Staff Sgt. Dustin Wright, told CBS News that he spoke with Trump on Tuesday for about 20 minutes. He said Trump was cordial and listened to him as he talked about his son.

“He [Trump] talked to me about the loss of my son,” Wright told Time, “and how he [Wright's son] served with honor and dignity and he just wanted to give me a call to thank me.”

Will Wright, brother of the fallen soldier, said his father was appreciative of Trump's call.

“It went well, he was pleased with the phone call,” Will Wright told People. “He got to talk about what he wanted to talk about and Trump was very receptive and [my dad] is very grateful for the phone call.”

What's the controversy?

On Tuesday, Trump also called the pregnant widow of Army Sgt. La David Johnson to offer his condolences for her husband’s death. She was on her way to Miami International Airport at the time to receive her husband’s body.

The Miami Herald reported that Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), who was present for the call, alleged Trump told Myeshia Johnson that her husband “knew what he signed up for.”

That comment stirred the controversy that has continued since late Tuesday when the Miami Herald published a story about Trump's alleged remarks. Trump has denied the allegations.

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