“Sanctimonious Richard Da Nang Dick Blumenthal, perhaps the biggest joke in the United States Senate, is at it again! Dick lied until the midpoint of his political career, convincing everyone, in particular the Fake News Media, that he was a great War Hero who lived on the precipice of death in the jungles of Vietnam. He would talk about his life in the military in almost every speech, in particular the death defying dangers he faced in his many years fight for freedom while in Vietnam. He stated that the battles were violent and long, but there was no going back – And then it happened, Blumenthal was found out to be a FRAUD. The soldiers in his so-called platoon came forward and said that they had no idea who this guy was. He was revealed, broke down and admitted, tears flowing from his eyes, that he LIED, a Whopper, one that lasted 20 year. This guy shouldnt even be in the U.S. Senate. It should be investigated, and Justice should be sought. Right now there is a Congressman sitting in prison for lying about his past during a campaign. Well, those lies were nothing compared to those of Richard Da Nang Dick Blumenthal, perhaps the greatest phony in the history of the United States Senate. He should be allowed to speak no longer!” @realDonaldTrump

Fact-Check Summary

The Truth Social post about Senator Richard Blumenthal’s alleged Vietnam service contains both factual elements and significant falsehoods. It is true that Blumenthal, during his 2010 Senate campaign, was shown to have occasionally and incorrectly implied he served in Vietnam, when he was actually a Marine Corps Reservist who did not deploy overseas. He publicly acknowledged these misstatements, expressed regret, and clarified his service record. However, claims in the post that he fabricated elaborate war stories, spoke in detail about combat, that fellow servicemembers disavowed knowing him, or that he broke down in tears, are unsupported or directly contradicted by available evidence. The comparison to George Santos, who was imprisoned for criminal fraud, further distorts the nature and scale of Blumenthal’s actions.

Belief Alignment Analysis

The post adopts an extremely divisive and derogatory tone, using mocking nicknames and unsubstantiated character attacks. It relies on exaggeration, hyperbole, and misinformation rather than reasoned evidence, undermining civil democratic discourse. Instead of fostering constructive engagement or honest accountability, it seeks to inflame partisanship and delegitimize an elected authority without adhering to standards of factual accuracy or respect for democratic norms.

Opinion

A robust democracy demands honest discussion about the records of public officials, including addressing any misstatements. However, this post fails to meet that standard. While it is legitimate to note that Blumenthal incorrectly described his military service, most of the extreme characterizations and personal attacks in the post are unsupported and serve more to polarize than enlighten. Genuine accountability arises from fact-based criticism, not distortion or mockery.

TLDR

Blumenthal did misstate his military record a few times and apologized. The claims that he lied for 20 years, invented false combat stories, or had emotional public breakdowns are false or grossly exaggerated. The post’s framing is misleading and inconsistent with honorable democratic discourse.

Claim: Senator Richard Blumenthal lied for decades about being a Vietnam War hero, fabricated war stories, was exposed by fellow soldiers, and broke down in tears; his conduct is worse than that of a congressman imprisoned for lying about his past.

Fact: Blumenthal served in the Marine Corps Reserve during the Vietnam era but did not serve in Vietnam. He did, in a few instances, misspeak and imply he had served in Vietnam but later clarified and apologized. There is no evidence he told detailed combat stories, was denounced by fellow servicemen, or had a public breakdown. The comparison with a congressman imprisoned for criminal fraud is misleading.

Opinion: Most of this post is based on hyperbole, derogatory framing, and distortion. Only the underlying fact of Blumenthal misspeaking about his service has a factual basis.

TruthScore: 2

True: Blumenthal misrepresented his military service in a small number of instances and apologized publicly.

Hyperbole: The post’s repeated insistence that Blumenthal “lied for 20 years,” “fabricated war stories,” and its use of mocking nicknames and calls for him to be silenced are exaggerated and inflammatory.

Lies: There is no evidence Blumenthal invented detailed combat stories, was dramatically exposed by fellow Marines, broke down in tears, or that his conduct approaches the criminal fraud of the referenced congressman.