Donald Trump Jr. Trolled for His Navy SEAL Diversity-Training Claims

Donald Trump Jr. recently spoke at a campaign event, and video of comments he made regarding the U.S. Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) teams has resulted in people mocking the former president's son, as well as defenders praising his remarks, online.

"I have friends on SEAL teams that tell me they spend more time now in diversity training than they do shooting," Trump can be heard saying in the clip.

Trump—who is a best-selling author in addition to his work in business and political activism—made the comments during an August 18 rally for Carolina Amesty, a conservative candidate who is running for a state House seat in Florida.

The video's circulation on social media has resulted in some people agreeing with Trump, while others have taken the occasion to mock him. Various people on Twitter have also questioned if Trump has actual knowledge of the training the elite special forces teams undergo.

"How you know @DonaldJTrumpJr is lying & stupid: Shooting is a minimal part of Navy SEAL Training," Kurt Eichenwald, a best-selling author and investigative journalist, tweeted Monday. "He doesn't even know what SEAL training involves, and lies about this story. Training involves 12+ months of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL BUD/S School, Parachute Jump School."

Some people disputed more than just Trump's claims about the SEALs.

"The only thing more ridiculous than claiming SEALs are in DEI training more than they shoot is the idea that Junior has friends," Twitter user @BDHerzinger said.

"His daddy gave him and his brother fancy titles, but neither ever seem to actually work. As for all his SEAL friends, why would they have anything to do with someone who, along with 4 generations of his family, refused to serve? His daddy refers to them as 'suckers and losers,'" user hendrixmom12 wrote.

Donald Trump Jr. speaks at CPAC
Above, Donald Trump Jr. is seen speaking during the Conservative Political Action Conference 2020 (CPAC) on February 28, 2020, in National Harbor, Maryland. Comments he made recently about the Navy SEALs has resulted in some... Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images

However, others stood by Trump, including Robert J. O'Neill. A former SEAL and former Fox News contributor, O'Neill has said he was the person who shot and killed Osama bin Laden in 2011.

"He's telling the truth. I've had this discussion with @DonaldJTrumpJr and so have other SEALs," O'Neill tweeted. "Retention is an issue and so is recruitment. This is more than a political talking point. It's happening and it's not good."

However, several Twitter users responded directly to O'Neill to disagree.

"Anything that comes out of the mouth of a Trump is a lie. I also know a SEAL & he says this claim is not true," user AliceBreen2 wrote. "The SEALs you are talking to are disgruntled Trump supporters. My nephew quit the Marines because of this claim but other Marines just said "good riddance."

Some said that the Navy SEAL teams could benefit from diversity training.

"I don't know! Why would a SEAL team need to be knowledgeable about other cultures and religions when they can just shoot people?" another person wrote about Trump's comments. "Shooting solves most every problem. Donald Trump Jr. is very wise."

Meanwhile, several social media users joked that perhaps Trump was speaking of a different type of seal.

Newsweek reached out to the Trump Organization for comment.

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Jon Jackson is an Associate Editor at Newsweek based in New York. His focus is on reporting on the Ukraine ... Read more

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