"We don’t talk about that around here," said Donnell Brown, 66, who expressed pride in his daughter, a U.S. Army officer. "He says so many things, we let it go. He’s doing a great job."
Columbus draws its social and economic lifeblood from the 120,000 active-duty soldiers, reservists and civilian workers at the base, with many of the city’s residents strongly supporting the Republican president. Interviews with some locals indicated that Trump’s reported remarks would not dissuade them from voting for him as he seeks re-election on Nov. 3.
"Does it sound like something he’d say? Yes," said Zachary Edwards, 30, owner of Edwards Military Supply who served two years in the Army. "Does it matter? No. We’re a military town and we support our commander, no matter what. I will be voting for Trump and so will everyone."
Military veterans and current service members represent a key voting bloc for Trump.