Trump on defensive as critics seize on reports he insulted U.S. veterans

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a question as he answers reporters questions during a news conference at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump was on the defensive on Sunday over what critics said was a "pattern" of disrespect towards the U.S. military following media reports that he had disparaged fallen veterans, the fallout from which could harm his campaign for re-election on Nov. 3.

Democratic and Republican opponents alike over the weekend seized on the reports - which said that Trump had called U.S. soldiers buried in Europe "losers" - to attack his record on the military on news shows and in political ads.