In early May 2025, rumors spread across multiple platforms — including Facebook (archived), Bluesky (archived) and X (archived), that the DOD removed content related to Ruby Bradley, a highly decorated nurse who served in World War II. The posts also claimed U.S. President Donald Trump called the veteran a "loser." Bradley, who spent 37 months as a prisoner of war during her service, received 34 medals for her service during WWII and the Korean War.
One post linked to a Substack article that is no longer available, which may have been the source of the claim.
The rumor came in the wake of Trump's executive order to eliminate programs associated with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security; government officials either deleted, deleted and then restored or deleted and then restored with edits numerous webpages on history the U.S. government previously featured.
None of the posts linked above provided a source or evidence, and no reputable news source reported on such a removal or that Trump called Bradley a "loser." Google search results for Trump's alleged comment at the time of this writing show only the repeated claim on social media or articles debunking the claim, and "Ruby Bradley" on Trump's Truth Social account yields no results (archived).
We reached out to the DOD, and they responded via email, "The department is not taking down content related to Ruby Bradley."
The rumor likely stems from both alleged and verified comments Trump has made in the past referring to veterans as "losers," including the late senator John McCain. "He's not a war hero. He is a war hero 'cause he was captured. I like people who weren't captured," Trump said in 2008 (minute 5:52).