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Meanwhile, Democratic National Committee deputy press secretary Brian Gabriel said in a statement, “The commander-in-chief told a totally irresponsible and disgusting lie in the Rose Garden today, claiming past presidents did not call the families of fallen service members. Trump’s jaw-dropping, disrespectful lie is not based anywhere in reality and is another symptom of a deep-seated obsession with tearing down President Obama.”

ABC News reached out for comment from the spokespeople for former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

Press secretary Sarah Sanders later said in a statement, \"The president wasn't criticizing predecessors, but stating a fact.\"

\"When American heroes make the ultimate sacrifice, presidents pay their respects,\" she said. \"Sometimes they call, sometimes they send a letter, other times they have the opportunity to meet family members in person. This president, like his predecessors, has done each of these. Individuals claiming former presidents, such as their bosses, called each family of the fallen, are mistaken.\"

ABC News' Benjamin Siegel contributed to this report.

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