The mother of an Army sergeant killed in Niger says President Donald Trump, in a call offering condolences, showed "disrespect" to the soldier's loved ones as they drove to the airport to meet his body.
David Johnson was one of four American military personnel killed nearly two weeks ago whose families had not heard from Trump until Tuesday.
Democratic politician Frederica Wilson said Trump told the widow Johnson "knew what he signed up for".
The Florida Democrat said she was in the car with the widow, Myeshia Johnson, on the way to Miami International Airport to meet the body when Trump called.
Johnson's mother, Cowanda Jones-Johnson, told The Associated Press Wednesday that the congresswoman's account was correct.
Trump on Wednesday declared on Twitter: "Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!"
Wilson did not back down from her account, suggesting that Trump "never wants to take ownership" of a mistake.
Trump has made personal contact with some families of the fallen but not all. What's different is that Trump picked a political fight over who's done better to honour the war dead and their families.
He placed himself at the top of the list, saying on Tuesday, "I think I've called every family of someone who's died" while past presidents didn't place such calls.
But The Associated Press found relatives of two soldiers who died overseas during Trump's presidency who said they never received a call or a letter from him, as well as relatives of a third who did not get a call.
This photo provided by the US Army Special Operations Command shows Sgt. La David Johnson, who was killed in an ambush in Niger. Source: AAP
Proof is plentiful that Barack Obama and George W. Bush - saddled with far more combat casualties than the roughly two dozen so far under Trump, took painstaking steps to write, call or meet bereaved military families.
Myeshia Johnson cries over the casket in Miami of her husband, Sgt. La David Johnson, who was killed in an ambush in Niger. Source: AAP
