Commander-In-Chief Forum
Who is better qualified to serve as America's next Commander in Chief?
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, each made their case Wednesday at the Commander-in-Chief Forum, sponsored by NBC News and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
The first head-to-head debate comes Sept. 26.
Who is better qualified to serve as America's next Commander in Chief?
Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, each made their case Wednesday at the Commander-in-Chief Forum, sponsored by NBC News and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
The first head-to-head debate comes Sept. 26.
Latest
Reviews of the Commander-In-Chief Forum Are In...
The first joint appearance between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has concluded with each candidate having made their best case as to why they should be the next commander-in-chief.
Scroll down to see the highlights of the hour-long event.
Trump Says He Does Not Support Privatizing the VA
Donald Trump refuted Hillary Clinton’s claim he supports privatizing the VA but said it is unacceptable for veterans to be waiting multiple days for care.
“I would not do that,” Trump said of privatizing the VA.
Trump also attempted to correct a veteran questioner suffering from PTSD who asked what he plans to do about veteran suicide rates. The questioner said 20 veterans each day take their own lives.
“It’s actually 22,” Trump said before pledging to help provide increased care to those who served.
The most recent VA study found the correct number is actually 20.
Trump Questioned on Military Sexual Assault
Matt Lauer questioned Trump about a 2013 tweet from the real estate mogul that read: “26,000 unreported sexual assults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men & women together?”
Trump called the statement "a correct tweet."
“There are many people who think that that’s absolutely correct,” Trump said.
Asked if his response means that male and female servicemembers must be separated in order to reduce assaults, he replied “Not to take them out, but something has to happen.”
Trump also noted that many military offenders are often not properly prosecuted.
Trump: Putin Praise Will Have 'Zero Impact'
Donald Trump insists that Putin's praise for him will have "zero impact," saying that he'll continue to promise to work with the Russian leader.
Asked if he wants the kind of compliments Putin has given him, Trump said "the fact is, it’s not going to get him anywhere."
"If he says great things about me, I’m going to say great things about him," he added.
While Trump conceded that he doesn't "like" the Russian system of government, he said Putin has been a successful leader "in that system."
Trump: 'Different Generals' Would Advise Me on ISIS
Donald Trump suggested that there would probably "be different generals" to advise him on ISIS policy if he's elected president.
Trump suggested that current active duty military generals have been "reduced to rubble" by the Obama administration and implied that many of them would be replaced if he becomes the commander-in-chief.
"We have had the worst, and you could even say the dumbest, foreign policy," he said.
