At his Georgia rally on Saturday, former President Donald Trump introduced and praised the Marine who was caught on camera pulling an Afghan baby over the Kabul, Afghanistan airport wall amid a chaotic withdrawal and evacuation.
“We’re also honored to be joined by one of the Marines who bravely served in Kabul during the withdrawal and helped evacuate children over the airport and over the airport wall,” Trump told thousands of his supporters. “You saw him, he did a great job, Lance Corporal Hunter Ian Clark. Lance Corporal get up here!”
Cheers erupted from the audience as Clark walked on stage. Trump called the Marine a “handsome guy” and said he comes from a military family who went to school “right here in Perry, Georgia.”
“Hey, my name is Lance Corporal Hunter Clark, and I’m here from Warner Robins, Georgia,” Clark told the cheering crowd. “I am the guy that pulled the baby over the wall, and it’s definitely probably one of the greatest things I’ve done in my entire life.”
A photo of the heroic moment was shared by a user on Twitter.
“I just want to thank all the support from all y’all,” Clark continued, appearing to hold back tears. “It really means a lot and I’m glad to be home now.”
Clark turned and shook the former president’s hand before walking off stage as chants of “USA! USA! USA!” filled the air.
During his speech, Trump blasted President Joe Biden’s withdrawal and evacuation from Afghanistan as the “most appalling display of incompetence.”
The former president also honored the 13 service members killed by a suicide bomber outside the Kabul airport during the withdrawal.
“In their memory tonight we have 13 empty seats of honor right here in the front row,” Trump said. “Our hearts go out to the families of every service member that we have lost, and I’ve spoken to a lot of them. These are great, great people.”
Fox News’ Mark Meredith shared an image of the memorial on Twitter.
“Ahead of tonight’s Trump rally in Perry, GA – organizers have created a makeshift memorial for the 13 service members killed in Kabul in August,” Meredith wrote. “Each chair contains an American flag and flower in honor of their memory.”
