### Controversy Surrounds Trump’s Alleged Remarks on Funeral Costs for Soldier

Former President Donald Trump has come under fire after allegations surfaced about derogatory comments he reportedly made regarding a funeral bill for a slain soldier. According to an article published by The Atlantic, Trump allegedly declared "it doesn't cost 60,000 bucks to bury a f****** Mexican" upon receiving the bill he had previously offered to cover. The soldier in question was Vanessa Guillen, whose tragic death had initially prompted Trump to extend his sympathies and financial support to her family.

The report claims that during a meeting in December 2020, Trump became visibly enraged when presented with the funeral bill. Witnesses told The Atlantic that he accused the family of trying to rip him off and instructed his chief of staff at the time, Mark Meadows, not to pay the amount. Additionally, it was reported that Guillen's family never received any money from Trump, despite his earlier promises.

The Trump campaign has fervently denied these accusations. Trump campaign adviser Alex Pfeiffer labeled the claims as a baseless attack timed to influence the election. Likewise, former Pentagon Chief of Staff Kash Patel, who was purportedly present during the controversial meeting, also rejected the allegations. Patel emphasized that Trump wanted to ensure that Guillen’s family would not bear any funeral costs and even offered to personally handle the expenses to honor her sacrifice.

Mark Meadows, the former chief of staff, also refuted the claims, calling them "absolutely false." He described Trump’s approach towards Guillen's family as compassionate and committed to ensuring that the military and government provided the necessary support.

Mayra Guillen, Vanessa Guillen’s sister, has also criticized The Atlantic for what she termed as the exploitation of her sister’s death for political purposes. She described the article as "hurtful and disrespectful" and shared her own support for Trump, mentioning that she had even cast her vote for him.

These conflicting accounts have stirred significant public discussion, highlighting the sensitive nature of the incident and the complexities around the narrative involving former President Trump and the grieving Guillen family.