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Less than a week before Memorial Day weekend — a federal holiday that aims to recognize members of the U.S. military who have died in combat zones — President Donald Trump sought to downplay the U.S. casualties of his ill-defined and unauthorized war on Iran.

Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, Trump was asked about servicemembers’ deaths.

“We lost 13 people. … In other wars, you lost hundreds of thousands of people,” Trump said, seemingly complaining about any criticism of the war that involves discussing military deaths or casualties.

Trump further claimed that any president other than himself would have lost “a hundred thousand people” if tasked with the same military goals he’s had in Venezuela and Iran.

“I get a kick when I look at somebody on television, and they say, ‘he’s lost 13 people,'” Trump elaborated.

House GOP Cancels Iran War Powers Vote for Second Day in a Row

Trump: We lost 13 people. In other wars, you lost hundreds of thousands of people. I get a kick when I look at somebody on television and they say, 'he's lost 13 people.' pic.twitter.com/0qGnvpCdTw— FactPost (@factpostnews) May 20, 2026

Trump: We lost 13 people. In other wars, you lost hundreds of thousands of people. I get a kick when I look at somebody on television and they say, 'he's lost 13 people.' pic.twitter.com/0qGnvpCdTw

Trump’s comments come as the war on Iran is soon to enter its fourth month. Almost one month ago, Trump announced an indefinite ceasefire with the country, a condition of the war he claims is continuing despite ongoing skirmishes. Blockades by both sides also continue within the Strait of Hormuz. Under international law, blockades are considered........

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