Trump and the military: Will the allegations hurt him?

An explosive report accused President Trump of making repeated disparaging remarks about members of the U.S. military, including those who died in battle, as “losers” and “suckers.” The report, published late last week by the Atlantic, relied on several anonymous sources to paint an image of a commander in chief who lacks respect for, if not openly disdains, American service members.

Trump has vehemently denied the allegations and accused the historic magazine of publishing a “fake story.” Several people close to the president have also gone on the record rebutting the claims. On Monday, Trump went further, calling the story “phony,” “made up” and a “hoax.”

The story’s author, Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg, stands by his reporting. A number of other news outlets have published their own reports from sources backing up aspects of Goldberg’s account.

Trump has had a tumultuous relationship with the military during his presidency. He has frequently praised service members in public, named several veterans to top posts in his administration and featured the military at official events.