Trump defends call to widow of soldier killed in Niger

US president Donald Trump has defended his call to the widow of an American soldier killed in Niger, saying he was "respectful" and that he did not forget the soldier's name.

Mr Trump addressed the call on Twitter after Myeshia Johnson, Sgt La David Johnson's widow, appeared on ABC's Good Morning America.

I had a very respectful conversation with the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, and spoke his name from beginning, without hesitation!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2017

She said that in the president's call to her last week, he "couldn't remember my husband's name".

Mrs Johnson added: "The only way he could remember my husband's name was he told me he had my husband's report in front of him, and that's when he actually said 'La David'."

On Twitter, Mr Trump responded: "I had a very respectful conversation with the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, and spoke his name from beginning, without hesitation!"

Sgt Johnson and three comrades died in October 4 following an attack in the west African nation.