Published 13:23 IST, October 31st 2019
Donald Trump tweets fake photo of hero dog getting medal of honor
US President Donald Trump tweeted a fake image of the dog involved in counter-terrorism operation that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
United States President Donald Trump faced massive backlash after he tweeted a fake picture of the dog involved in the Bagdadi raid getting medal of honor. On October 30, the United States President had tweeted a fake picture of the dog who was involved in counter-terrorism operation that led to the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. In the photo shared by Trump, he can be seen honouring the dog with a medal.
The photo was an altered version of an actual photograph and was edited by the Daily Wire, a conservative site. In the original photograph, James McCloughan, a retired army medic, was awarded the medal of honor in 2017 for saving lives of 10 people in the Vietnam war.
Trump thanks for edited version
Later on October 31, Trump thanked the website for the recreation and informed that the dog, named Conan, will be leaving for the White House next week.
The conservative website’s editor-in-chief called it an obvious joke and not to be taken seriously. “There is simply no way to take the media seriously when they fact-check obvious jokes. No one thinks Trump actually gave a medal to a dog.”
Conan returns to service
Meanwhile, US Central Command Commander General Kenneth McKenzie said that the dog has returned to service. “He was injured by exposed live electrical cables in the tunnel after Baghdadi detonated his vest beneath the compound,” the general said.
The US President had first tweeted a picture of the dog on October 28 commending him for doing a "great job in capturing and killing" Baghdadi.
On October 27, during a media briefing at the White House, Trump called the dog talented and beautiful. “K-9, as they call - I call it a dog, a beautiful dog, a talented dog - was injured and brought back.”
(With PTI Inputs)
Updated 14:40 IST, October 31st 2019