Hello, everyone! With 61 days until Election Day, we’re back for another round of BuzzFeed’s 2024 Election Diaries!
This weekly series highlights different groups of voters nationwide to find out what political issues are most important to them AND who they plan to support for president in 2024.
Veterans have been a hot topic after Donald Trump’s most recent scandal at a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
Nur Photo / Getty Iimages
In photos posted online, Trump is seen smiling and holding a thumbs-up while standing over the gravesite of fallen soldiers. It’s also been reported that two members of Trump’s campaign staff had both physical and verbal altercations with a cemetery employee who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in a particular respected area of the cemetery.
Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
Many have called out Trump for seemingly using the visit as a photo opportunity, while others have praised him for showing his support for military families. We wanted to hear from veterans themselves, so we asked them to share which presidential candidate they plan to support and what issues matter most to them.
roibu / Getty Images
We received hundreds of responses, and our poll found that 82.1% of veteran respondents support Kamala Harris for president.
Anadolu / Getty Images
15.7% expressed support for Donald Trump.
Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
Whether you agree with their political opinions or not, here’s what 19 Veterans had to say anonymously:
All photos are AI-generated.
1.”My top priority is not using Veterans as a political power grab, such as calling them suckers/losers or putting a thumbs-up at a gravesite for pictures.”
“I’m voting for Kamala Harris because Donald Trump is a con artist, and he has fermented the calls for civil war if he loses; his Project 2025 will tear apart democracy and act like an authoritarian, demanding complete loyalty over ideals. I will never support this poor excuse of a man.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
2.”I worry about my trans friends having the continued ability to serve alongside me if Trump gets elected. I also worry about Trump’s statements about becoming a ‘dictator on day 1,’ saying people won’t need to vote again, etc. We don’t need a Putin or Hitler.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
3.”I really want to see a pay increase for active duty members. I’m voting for Trump because he has consistently demonstrated his support for our military members and their needs and will continue to improve the military when reelected.”
“I do not agree with all he says and find him childish when he feels the need to engage with the ignorant who attack him on social media. He will reverse many of the bad policies the failed Biden-Harris administration enacted, which will be better for all. Life in our country was much better during Trump’s last term.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
4.“The fact that Project 2025 is talking about only letting Veterans get either retirement or disability is absurd. Trump’s weird relationship with dictators is troubling, as well as the fact that he stated that no one would have to vote again after this election.”
“His cult is absolutely ridiculous, and they believe everything they hear on Fox News. Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are wholesome. They seem like they actually care about people. Plus, they seem less likely to start a war by talking shit on social media.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
5.”Army disabled Veteran and mom of a daughter here. I am voting for Harris. I don’t give a single crap we left crap in a war zone. I’m tired of everyone using that as a catalyst for Biden’s administration. What matters to me is my daughter’s health and future. While I will fight our enemies for our country, I refuse to believe hate should rule this country.”
“I truly believe love, kindness, and acceptance are the only things that will save us all. I don’t give a crap about grocery and gas prices. What I do care about is my child being harmed by someone and ruining her life. I believe we have the right to our bodies and our choices. Women matter. Girls matter. LGBTQ+ community matters, Black lives matter, immigration matters. I will do anything I can to protect our people, but I refuse to engage with the hate that has stemmed from Republicans. I see every day these are wanna-be soldiers for America but can’t hack a real day in the military.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
6.”Combat readiness and VA benefits are my top priorities. Like many Veterans, I love this country and have zero trust in our government. Anyone with a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ after their name ultimately cares nothing about the public or those who have served and sacrificed for this country. They are elected to serve. They do the dance for the election cycle and then just follow orders from their respective party, not their constituents.”
“So many ideas are often bounced around about what is best for our country. Abolish the political parties, establish term limits in all elected positions, hold those elected accountable, and watch massive change happen.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
7.”Trump literally has no respect for active military and Veterans. I rely on my VA disability benefits to survive, and Trump’s 2025 plan would limit, if not abolish, access to these benefits. I’m also tired of men making decisions about women’s bodies.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
8.”My biggest concern is the possibility of another war. I believe Trump is a dangerous man. I believe Harris will make the best decisions for our country and our allies. My husband is also an 11-year Veteran and feels the same way. My ex-husband is an eight-year Veteran and will also be voting for Harris.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
9.”I cannot, in good faith, support someone like Tim Walz, who has repeatedly misrepresented his rank and claimed to be a combat Veteran. That is flat-out stolen valor. I’m not arguing his years of service, but EVERY person that served knows exactly what their Rank was when they exited.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
10.”I’m supporting VPOTUS Harris. She has demonstrated respect for the rule of law over her long, distinguished career. As a Veteran, I fought to protect our country and our values””
“I explicitly worked on instilling the rule of law in Iraq, and Donald Trump has shown he has no respect for the rule of law and thinks he is above the law. The scarier part is that he appointed so many activist federal judges during his previous term, and they are ignoring precedent and the Constitution.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
11.“I simply dislike Trump’s perception of what he thinks he is and can do. His attitude toward military personnel and veterans is skewed by the fact that he was a silver spoon heir.”
“His statements about military personnel, especially Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients, were blasphemous, especially for a person who was once the ‘Commander in Chief.’ His attitude leads me to believe that he might cut VA benefits. This is not to say I trust Harris 100%; Democrats are notoriously not very pro-military.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
12.”The character of the commander-in-chief is most important. Kamala and Tim care about veterans and everyone else. Donald only cares about himself and his rich friends. Further, I truly believe that if allowed, he would use the military to punish those that disagreed with him and/or to stay in power past his four-year term.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
13.”Passing the Major Richard Star Act is my top priority. I’m voting for Trump because he is the only one actually qualified to be president. A vote for Harris and the phony Walz will likely bring us closer to communism and could get us into WW III if Biden doesn’t before the election.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
14.”I have fears of the US slowly turning into an authoritarian theocracy under conservative rule. I am concerned with policies over the years from conservatives that seem to show a propaganda love of active duty service members while simultaneously dismissing or neglecting Veterans.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
15.”Trump intentionally hid secret documents, lied, and has been very disrespectful to the Veteran community. If I had ever had a commander behave like that, they would have been reprimanded and relieved of command! Also, how can he keep his security clearance after being a convicted criminal?”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
16.”Our national security is my top priority, especially regarding our southern border. From what I’ve seen, the Democratic platform is extremely weak on illegal immigration.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
17.”I’m voting for Kamala Harris because I know that Trump doesn’t respect the Constitution. I raised my right hand to defend it. Also, he’s a draft dodger; he has called us suckers and losers and is an embarrassment to the USA.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
18.”Sexual assault and harassment that female service members experience at such a high rate is egregious. This issue needs to be addressed immediately, and resources need to be deployed to those Veterans who continue to suffer from their experiences.”
“I’m voting for Kamala because she makes me believe the change she will lead our country through will be more substantial than a moderate party candidate.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
And finally…
19.”Trump doesn’t belong anywhere near hallowed sites like Arlington or Normandy. He’s done nothing but disparage Veterans and their sacrifices. He’s a traitor. He’s a coward and has absolutely no idea what selfless service is.”
Michaela Bramwell / Meta Imagine
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you next round!
Responses have been edited for length/clarity.
