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In May 2025, false claims circulated widely across social media platforms alleging that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had ordered the removal of online content related to World War II nurse Ruby Bradley, and that President Donald Trump had called her a “loser.” These allegations have been thoroughly investigated and determined to be without merit.
The Department of Defense explicitly refuted these claims in an email response to inquiries, stating plainly: “The department is not taking down content related to Ruby Bradley.” Despite this official denial, the unfounded rumors continued to spread months later, experiencing a resurgence in October 2025.
Ruby Bradley stands as one of the most decorated women in U.S. military history. During her distinguished career, she earned 34 medals for her service in both World War II and the Korean War. Bradley endured 37 months as a prisoner of war during her military service, demonstrating extraordinary courage and commitment to caring for others even in captivity.
The false narrative appears to have originated from a Substack article that is no longer accessible. The timing of these rumors is notable, coming shortly after President Trump signed an executive order eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Following this executive action, numerous government webpages on historical topics were either temporarily removed, deleted and later restored, or edited and republished.
This context may have provided fertile ground for misinformation to spread, despite the absence of credible evidence. No reputable news organizations reported on either the alleged content removal or Trump’s supposed derogatory comments about Bradley. Thorough searches of Trump’s Truth Social account yield no mentions of Ruby Bradley whatsoever.
The false claims likely draw inspiration from previous controversial statements attributed to Trump regarding military service members. In 2015, he publicly remarked about the late Senator John McCain, “He’s not a war hero. He is a war hero ’cause he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.” Additionally, a 2020 report in The Atlantic alleged that Trump had referred to fallen American soldiers as “losers” and “suckers,” though Trump denied making these statements.
Fact-checking organizations including Snopes, Lead Stories, Times Now, and MEAWW News have all investigated the Ruby Bradley claims and concluded they are false. These organizations found no evidence to support either the claim that Bradley’s service record was removed from government websites or that Trump made derogatory comments about her.
The persistence of this false narrative illustrates how misinformation can rapidly spread in today’s digital landscape, particularly when it aligns with existing controversies or political tensions. Despite clear denials from official sources, the claims continued to circulate months after they were initially debunked.
The actual legacy of Ruby Bradley remains intact on government websites, preserving the remarkable story of a nurse whose dedication to service during two major conflicts earned her recognition as one of the most decorated women in American military history.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying claims with official sources and trusted news organizations before accepting or sharing information on social media, especially during periods of political transition when government websites and policies are undergoing changes.
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6 Comments
This is an important cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked misinformation. I’m glad the DOD stepped up to set the record straight on Nurse Bradley’s remarkable legacy. She’s a true American hero.
I’m glad the DOD took the time to address these rumors. Nurse Bradley’s military record speaks for itself – 34 medals is an incredible achievement. It’s disappointing to see attempts to smear her legacy.
Interesting fact check. It’s good to see the DOD refuting those unfounded claims about Nurse Bradley. She was clearly a remarkable and courageous woman who deserves to be honored for her service.
Fact-checking is so important, especially when it comes to prominent historical figures. I’m glad the DOD was able to definitively refute the false allegations about Nurse Bradley. Her bravery and service should be celebrated, not diminished.
This is an important story to get right. Spreading false narratives, especially about war heroes like Ruby Bradley, can be quite damaging. Kudos to the DOD for setting the record straight.
It’s disturbing to see how quickly misinformation can spread on social media these days. I’m glad the DOD pushed back on these baseless claims about Nurse Bradley. Her story deserves to be told accurately.