In a segment that has ignited a firestorm of criticism, Fox News commentator Mark Levin launched into a vehement defence of former President Donald Trump, making the extraordinary claim that he should be considered a 'war hero'. The controversial remarks were broadcast during Levin's Sunday night show, coinciding with the United States' observance of Veterans Day.
A 'War Hero' Without Battlefield Service
Levin's monologue took a surreal turn as he attempted to draw parallels between Trump and traditional war heroes. "They call all sorts of people war heroes," Levin stated, before making his central argument: "Well, if that's the case, Donald Trump is a war hero."
This characterisation is particularly contentious given that Trump, who attended a military academy in his youth, received five draft deferments during the Vietnam War and has no record of military service.
The 'Enemy Within': A Scathing Attack on Jack Smith
The broadcaster's rhetoric intensified as he turned his focus on Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading two federal criminal investigations into the former president. Levin's language was incendiary and militaristic.
"He is a vicious, vicious, vicious human being, and he is trying to take down not only President Trump, not only the Republican Party, not only the conservative movement, he is trying to take down this country," Levin proclaimed, framing the legal proceedings as a form of warfare.
Veterans Day Context Amplifies Controversy
The timing of Levin's comments, broadcast on a day dedicated to honouring military veterans who served in actual combat, has been widely condemned as inappropriate and disrespectful. The segment has been criticised for politicising a solemn national holiday and for what many see as a blatant misappropriation of military sacrifice for political gain.
This incident is not an isolated one for Fox News, which has frequently faced accusations of providing a platform for inflammatory and misleading rhetoric in its unwavering support of Donald Trump, particularly as he faces multiple legal challenges.
The network's commentary continues to fuel the highly charged political atmosphere in the United States, blurring the lines between political advocacy and journalistic discourse.
