Transcript - Remarks: Donald Trump Greets Veterans of World War II at The White House - April 11, 2019 | Factba.se

Donald Trump

00:00:00 - 00:00:23 (23 sec)

Well, thank you very much. This is a special moment. I spoke with Allen Jones about a year ago. And Allen now is 95 years old. Great World War II hero. And when I spoke to him, I said, "Come on up to the White House sometime and I'll see you." And guess what? He called and he said, "Hey, you promised." And I deliver, right?

Donald Trump

00:00:23 - 00:00:49 (27 sec)

I deliver. We don't play games. And it's an honor to see you, Allen. And Allen is with some of his friends -- Sidney Walton, World War II veteran. Great gentleman. A great hero. And he's 100 years old. And I want to be like you someday. [Laughter] I want to be like all of you guys someday. That's great -- 100. And thank you very much.

Donald Trump

00:00:49 - 00:01:21 (31 sec)

Thanks, Sidney. That's fantastic. Thank you. And Floyd Wright -- and Floyd Wigfield. And Paul -- where's Paul? Paul Kriner is fantastic. Paul is -- let's see, 103. He doesn't look a day over 90. [Laughter] A hundred and three. You look fantastic. Congratulations. Congratulations. War here. And Floyd Wigfield, who is 101, and you are amazing.

Donald Trump

00:01:21 - 00:01:36 (16 sec)

Look at you, huh. Look at you. Look at you. So fantastic. I'm glad you took me up on the offer. And surrounded by their family -- very good genes in this family. You're going to live a long time, right? You're proud of the folks.

Ellie Walton

00:01:36 - 00:01:38 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:01:38 - 00:01:39 (2 sec)

Do you have anything to say about him?

Ellie Walton

00:01:39 - 00:01:41 (2 sec)

Oh, our dad is the most wonderful dad in the world. He always has been.

Donald Trump

00:01:41 - 00:01:45 (4 sec)

And right here, right? Very good. That's great.

Ellie Walton

00:01:45 - 00:01:47 (2 sec)

This is our dad, right here. Yeah.

Donald Trump

00:01:47 - 00:01:48 (1 sec)

The most wonderful dad.

Ellie Walton

00:01:48 - 00:01:51 (2 sec)

The most wonderful dad you could ever imagine.

Paul Walton

00:01:51 - 00:02:04 (13 sec)

What he's doing, Mr. President, is incredible. He's traveling the whole country -- all 50 governors, and now meeting the President -- he's spreading the word of how few World War II veterans there are left. And --

Donald Trump

00:02:04 - 00:02:07 (3 sec)

Do you know how many actually? Do you know? Is there a number?

Paul Walton

00:02:07 - 00:02:10 (3 sec)

It's really -- what I've been told, it's just a handful.

Donald Trump

00:02:10 - 00:02:12 (1 sec)

Wow. Isn't that incredible.

Paul Walton

00:02:12 - 00:02:20 (9 sec)

And he's on a year-and-a-half tour meeting all -- not only all the governors, but he's meeting hundreds of thousands of people along the way.

Donald Trump

00:02:20 - 00:02:33 (13 sec)

That's fantastic. Wow. Congratulations on having a great gentleman. That is -- you know, I'm a big believer in having good genes, and you have the best genes you could have, right?

Judy Walton

00:02:33 - 00:02:34 (1 sec)

Thank you. Luck of the draw.

Donald Trump

00:02:34 - 00:02:36 (2 sec)

So you travel a little bit with him, do you? Do you travel?

Paul Walton

00:02:36 - 00:02:38 (2 sec)

Yes. I'm with him all the time.

Donald Trump

00:02:38 - 00:02:43 (5 sec)

That's fantastic. That's fantastic. Let me see what that says. "Sidney, 100-year-old…" Wow.

Ellie Walton

00:02:43 - 00:02:44 (1 sec)

No Regrets Tour.

Donald Trump

00:02:44 - 00:02:45 (1 sec)

Ellie Walton

00:02:45 - 00:02:51 (6 sec)

Because he regretted not meeting a Civil War veteran when he had the chance. [Laughter] And he doesn't want anyone to regret not meeting a World War II veteran.

Donald Trump

00:02:51 - 00:03:12 (22 sec)

That's really nice. No, I don't think anybody does. That was a great victory. That was a great victory. We knew how to win wars. That was a tremendous victory. So tell me, how -- you talk to me -- the way we spoke, we had the greatest conversation. Tell them what we said.

Allen Jones

00:03:12 - 00:03:14 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:03:14 - 00:03:14 (1 sec)

Allen Jones

00:03:14 - 00:03:26 (11 sec)

I expressed to the President at the convention last year -- he asked me to come on the stage. It was awesome. I was afraid that the Secret Service was going to grab me when I put my arm around you.

Donald Trump

00:03:26 - 00:03:28 (2 sec)

He just wrapped his arm around me. [Laughter]

Allen Jones

00:03:28 - 00:03:49 (22 sec)

And I had a picture with me and I asked the President if he would sign it for me. He said he sure would. And I said to him that I was going to be 95 today, Mr. President, on April 11. And I said, "Well, I'd like to bring my family to the White House and be in the Oval Office," because somebody told me that I would never get in the Oval Office.

Allen Jones

00:03:49 - 00:03:58 (8 sec)

And I really appreciate, Mr. President, for you allowing us to come to be with you today. And I just wish you the best in all of your endeavors.

Donald Trump

00:03:58 - 00:03:59 (2 sec)

Thank you very much.

Allen Jones

00:03:59 - 00:04:03 (4 sec)

I got a young man back home, Mr. President -- I told you to not let me speak -- [Laughter] --

Donald Trump

00:04:03 - 00:04:04 (1 sec)

That's okay. No, he speaks well. He speaks very well.

Allen Jones

00:04:04 - 00:04:15 (11 sec)

I got a young man back home that comes to my church Sunday school class almost every Sunday, and your name is mentioned by him. And I’ve got to get a picture to take back for him.

Donald Trump

00:04:15 - 00:04:16 (1 sec)

We’ll do that.

Allen Jones

00:04:16 - 00:04:17 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:04:17 - 00:04:18 (1 sec)

We’ll do that.

Allen Jones

00:04:18 - 00:04:21 (4 sec)

He’ll be one who [Inaudible]. I want to ask you one other question.

Donald Trump

00:04:21 - 00:04:22 (1 sec)

Allen Jones

00:04:22 - 00:04:24 (2 sec)

When you’re in Pittsburgh, I’d like to be on the stage with you.

Donald Trump

00:04:24 - 00:04:28 (4 sec)

Okay. We can do that -- which will be soon. We’ll do that.

Allen Jones

00:04:28 - 00:04:33 (5 sec)

If you can arrange that, I’d appreciate that.

Donald Trump

00:04:33 - 00:04:47 (14 sec)

A hundred percent. That’s why he’s successful, because he’s very aggressive. [Laughter] He’s an aggressive -- he’s an aggressive, great guy. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

Allen Jones

00:04:47 - 00:04:50 (3 sec)

And I’ve got one more picture for you to sign.

Donald Trump

00:04:50 - 00:04:53 (3 sec)

Let me have it. Let me have it. Let me see.

Allen Jones

00:04:53 - 00:04:58 (5 sec)

Well, I don’t want to give -- there you are. That's the one -- we took it on the stage.

Donald Trump

00:04:58 - 00:05:08 (9 sec)

Whoa, that’s the one we took. See? I’m going to sign this one, right? Yes? I’ll sign this one for you?

Allen Jones

00:05:08 - 00:05:08 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:05:08 - 00:05:15 (7 sec)

Okay. I’m going to sign this one. And Paul, how about you? Tell me. You’re feeling good?

Paul Kriner

00:05:15 - 00:05:24 (9 sec)

I was in a combat outfit. It was rumored we were second longest in combat. We had the 517 days of combat.

Donald Trump

00:05:24 - 00:05:25 (1 sec)

Paul Kriner

00:05:25 - 00:06:00 (35 sec)

And, well, I started out in Africa, and Italy, France, and Germany. And I was in the Alps mountain area when the war ended. Our last position was at Füssen, southern Germany, in an Alps mountain area. We were pulled out and went into Schongau. It was a German army camp where they trained Air Force identification people.

Donald Trump

00:06:00 - 00:06:01 (1 sec)

Paul Kriner

00:06:01 - 00:06:05 (4 sec)

And we processed 14,000 prisoners there in two weeks.

Donald Trump

00:06:05 - 00:06:06 (1 sec)

Paul Kriner

00:06:06 - 00:06:06 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:06:06 - 00:06:12 (6 sec)

That’s pretty amazing, right? So do you remember those days perfectly?

Paul Kriner

00:06:12 - 00:06:13 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:06:13 - 00:06:15 (2 sec)

That’s really something.

Paul Kriner

00:06:15 - 00:06:18 (2 sec)

I was also in the Korean War, too.

Donald Trump

00:06:18 - 00:06:21 (3 sec)

Pretty good warrior, isn’t he? Huh?

Paul Kriner

00:06:21 - 00:06:23 (2 sec)

Twenty-six months in [Inaudible].

Donald Trump

00:06:23 - 00:06:34 (11 sec)

A hundred and three. Well, you’re going to be around a long time. You look fantastic. You look fantastic. And I really appreciate you being in the White House and the Oval Office. Tell us something about the man.

Ms. Knight

00:06:34 - 00:06:35 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:06:35 - 00:06:38 (3 sec)

Tell us. Tell us. Go ahead.

Ms. Knight

00:06:38 - 00:06:40 (1 sec)

He’s not shy. You nailed it perfectly.

Donald Trump

00:06:40 - 00:06:41 (2 sec)

No, he’s not shy. [Laughter]

Ms. Knight

00:06:41 - 00:06:42 (1 sec)

Donald Trump

00:06:42 - 00:06:44 (1 sec)

He’s not shy at all.

Ms. Knight

00:06:44 - 00:06:46 (2 sec)

I’m just like him. And this is my brother.

Donald Trump

00:06:46 - 00:06:48 (2 sec)

Good. Congratulations.

Charles Jones

00:06:48 - 00:06:59 (11 sec)

We’re very proud of dad. Dad was one of five brothers that went off to World War II. And his mom was a Gold Star mother. One of them didn’t return.

Donald Trump

00:06:59 - 00:07:01 (2 sec)

Charles Jones

00:07:01 - 00:07:14 (13 sec)

So, dad is very proud to be a World War II veteran. And his family and [Inaudible] --

Donald Trump

00:07:14 - 00:07:30 (16 sec)

Well, we’re proud of him. Proud of all of you. Floyd? How about yourself?

Floyd Wigfield

00:07:30 - 00:07:44 (14 sec)

I was with the 4th Division. And we went in on Utah Beach in June 20 -- in June of ’44. And we made the [Inaudible]. I was on the -- my major [Inaudible] was on the third wave and --

Donald Trump

00:07:44 - 00:07:55 (11 sec)

And that was pretty brutal, Utah. And it was pretty -- that was a pretty brutal area at the time, wasn’t it?

Floyd Wigfield

00:07:55 - 00:08:06 (11 sec)

Yeah. I was there about a half a month before I got wounded. Night and day on the battlefield. And --

Donald Trump

00:08:06 - 00:08:11 (4 sec)

How badly wounded out there? Were you badly wounded?

Floyd Wigfield

00:08:11 - 00:08:23 (13 sec)

Yeah, well, I was all summer there, getting me back out of the hospital. They sent me back up, and I went back up into West Germany somewhere. Then another shell. [Laughs]

Donald Trump

00:08:23 - 00:08:25 (2 sec)

You got wounded again.

Floyd Wigfield

00:08:25 - 00:08:33 (8 sec)

Back in France, back in England again. And that time, they sent me home.

Donald Trump

00:08:33 - 00:08:37 (4 sec)

Fantastic job. Are you together? Huh?

Mr. Davis

00:08:37 - 00:08:50 (13 sec)

Paul and Floyd are both with the Greatest Generations Foundation. As you know, we return combat veterans back to where they fought and served. And we look forward to hosting you in Normandy this coming June for the 75th.

Donald Trump

00:08:50 - 00:08:51 (1 sec)

Yep. I’ll be there. I’ll be there.

Mr. Davis

00:08:51 - 00:08:55 (4 sec)

Probably a good opportunity. This gentleman wants to fly back with you on Air Force One. [Laughter]

Donald Trump

00:08:55 - 00:09:00 (5 sec)

Where are you flying back to? Are you flying back to Washington? To Washington?

Mr. Davis

00:09:00 - 00:09:01 (1 sec)

Once we’re done in Europe --

Donald Trump

00:09:01 - 00:09:18 (17 sec)

We’ll do that. We’ll work that out. Is that okay? We’ll work that out. You’ll like Air Force One. Well, I want to thank all of you. Great heroes. Great warriors. Highly respected. And you folks do a fantastic job. I want to thank you. And congratulations to everybody. Yes, please.

Paul Walton

00:09:18 - 00:09:30 (12 sec)

President Trump, my father just wanted to say a couple things, if he may. Dad, please tell the President the reason why you joined the Army.

Sidney Walton

00:09:30 - 00:09:32 (3 sec)

I joined the Army to fight Hitler.

Paul Walton

00:09:32 - 00:09:34 (2 sec)

That’s the reason he joined.

Donald Trump

00:09:34 - 00:09:35 (2 sec)

That was good reason.

Paul Walton

00:09:35 - 00:09:42 (7 sec)

And it’s called now the “No Regrets Tour.” You regret not meeting the Civil War veterans, right?

Sidney Walton

00:09:42 - 00:09:48 (5 sec)

Yes. I regret not meeting any Civil War veterans.

Paul Walton

00:09:48 - 00:09:54 (6 sec)

And that’s why he’s allowing people that want to meet a World War II veteran before it’s too late to meet him.

Donald Trump

00:09:54 - 00:09:55 (1 sec)

That’s great.

Paul Walton

00:09:55 - 00:09:57 (2 sec)

And he brought a gift for you.

Donald Trump

00:09:57 - 00:09:58 (1 sec)

Paul Walton

00:09:58 - 00:10:06 (8 sec)

And we have the gift back there. I think you’ll like it. It’s a very special gift that my dad has carried from San Diego --

Donald Trump

00:10:06 - 00:10:08 (2 sec)

Do you want to bring it up?

Paul Walton

00:10:08 - 00:10:10 (2 sec)

-- from San Diego, just for you.

Donald Trump

00:10:10 - 00:10:11 (1 sec)

Paul Walton

00:10:11 - 00:10:19 (8 sec)

Here, Dad. The President is going to open the gift that you got him.

Donald Trump

00:10:19 - 00:10:31 (12 sec)

From San Diego, where we just built a wall. [Laughter] And they were very happy that I built it. [The President opens a gift] Oh, that’s beautiful. That’s beautiful. That’s fantastic. Thank you very much.

Paul Walton

00:10:31 - 00:10:36 (5 sec)

And all my dad asks is, if you happen to know how to tweet, if you want to tweet that out, you’re welcome to.

Donald Trump

00:10:36 - 00:10:37 (1 sec)

I don’t tweet too much. [Laughter]

Paul Walton

00:10:37 - 00:10:39 (2 sec)

It would be an honor if you do.

Donald Trump

00:10:39 - 00:10:43 (5 sec)

I’ll do something. I will. We’ll have a little fun with it.

Paul Walton

00:10:43 - 00:10:44 (1 sec)

Sidney Walton

00:10:44 - 00:10:45 (1 sec)

Paul Walton

00:10:45 - 00:10:46 (1 sec)

Sidney Walton

00:10:46 - 00:10:46 (1 sec)

Paul Walton

00:10:46 - 00:10:49 (2 sec)

Is this one of the best days of your life?

Sidney Walton

00:10:49 - 00:10:49 (0 sec)

Donald Trump

00:10:49 - 00:10:50 (1 sec)

That’s great. That’s really nice.

Sidney Walton

00:10:50 - 00:10:52 (2 sec)

Yes. Yes, indeed.

Donald Trump

00:10:52 - 00:11:09 (17 sec)

You have a great family. You have a great family. Well, I want to thank everybody. These are just terrific people. We weren’t going to do this with the media. But, frankly, when I saw you, I said, "We have to." And thank you. Great job. Go ahead, please.

Allen Jones

00:11:09 - 00:11:14 (4 sec)

Mr. President, I want you to meet my wife. We’ve been married 69 years.

Donald Trump

00:11:14 - 00:11:15 (1 sec)

Whoa. [Applause]

Allen Jones

00:11:15 - 00:11:19 (4 sec)

And she probably can tell you more about me than I can tell myself.

Donald Trump

00:11:19 - 00:11:23 (4 sec)

Give us just the good stuff, not the bad stuff. [Laughter]

Mrs. Jones

00:11:23 - 00:11:25 (2 sec)

Well, is there much to say, then? [Laughter] It’s all been good.

Donald Trump

00:11:25 - 00:11:28 (4 sec)

That’s great.

Mrs. Jones

00:11:28 - 00:11:29 (1 sec)

Couldn’t be any better.

Donald Trump

00:11:29 - 00:11:36 (6 sec)

That’s really nice. I can see that in your face. I can see that. Thank you. Thank you all very much. It’s a great honor. Thank you all very much.

Question

00:11:36 - 00:11:41 (6 sec)

Mr. President, do you consider WikiLeaks a hostile intelligence service, like Mike Pompeo said?

Donald Trump

00:11:41 - 00:11:50 (9 sec)

I really don’t know much about them.

Question

00:11:50 - 00:11:52 (2 sec)

Do you regret praising WikiLeaks?

Donald Trump

00:11:52 - 00:11:58 (5 sec)

I don’t know much about them. Thank you very much.