The president and his administration are facing more backlash everyday after continued silence for the fallen heroes, most especially Timothy Eckels and other service members that was killed in a collision with the USS John S. McCain. This problem started during a press conference on October 16, in which Trump expressed that presidents in the past have not made personal calls to families of the lost and fallen soldiers and service members. These statements however, proved to be false; with presidents including president Obama firing back at the allegation.

Until recently, the president has responded to some military families with letters coming directly from the White House. This probably comes as a direct response to an ongoing controversy, where he ripped Representative Frederica Wilson from Florida; calling her the “Gift that keeps on giving for the Republican Party” after she exposed a phone call between the president and a widow of the fallen hero Sgt. La David Johnson who was killed in Niger.

Eckels Senior, one of the unfortunate widows of many service members that were killed found the letter to be of convenience; considering that he had received countless letters from officials including McCain before the president. Even with the timing of the letter, the president still expressed his sincere condolences with respect and dignity. While the president respects the lives of the fallen and continues to support the soldiers fighting on the frontlines today, his actions do show some shakiness as he is after all not experienced to address these situations in a professional (and in this cause, timely) manner.

A media source called “The Atlantic” has contacted about 12 families, with the Washington Post and others. Altogether, the president has made some progress, contacting more than half of the families that have lost family members in service. Some received letters, but no calls. Some received calls, but no letters. Even some families were contacted, but declined to meet with the president.

The president has made more strives than one would think, even though it may have been a reaction to the media. On October 4, Trump called the families of the four service men in Niger who died after promises were made on his behalf. Another promise that was made in June, money awarded to a grieving father was satisfied when the president mailed a check totaling $25,000. Let’s also not forget the letter that was sent to the widowed father of Mr. Eckels, as well as the Hoagland family, and the Ingraham family. Other families are still expecting a phone call, and should receive one in the coming weeks.

However, some families feel as if the president’s actions are not sincere, and that it represents the president’s desire to make himself look good. All of this comes during a troubling weekend that freed up some tension when Trump had a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who later dismissed any bad blood that he and Trump shared during the “health repeal bills”.

Whether these recent actions clear up the president’s image or not will reveal itself in due time as we wait for the response of the families of the fallen heroes.