Mayra Guillén, sister of slain Army private Vanessa Guillén, has voiced her dissatisfaction with an article in The Atlantic that alleged former President Donald Trump disrespected her late sister by making derogatory remarks and mismanaging the offer to cover her funeral costs.

Guillén has refuted these claims against Trump, labeling the story as misleading and stating that the former president always showed respect to her family, as Breitbart reports.

Mayra, Vanessa Guillén's younger sister, publicly condemned the article shortly after its release on Monday. She described the publication as "a lie from the very beginning," feeling that it unfairly targeted the reputation of both her and her family.

During an interview on Fox News' Ingraham Angle, Mayra called the article’s author "vile," claiming he deceived her about the article's content before publication.

Lawyer Says Author Mislead About Article's Focus

The reporter initially appeared to reach out to discuss the four-year anniversary of Vanessa’s tragic death and subsequent changes in military policies, particularly those addressing issues of sexual assault. Mayra Guillén said, “It was just hurtful in all kinds of ways. It brought back so many bad memories that we had given up already.”

Natalie Khawam, the attorney representing the Guillén family, echoed Mayra's criticisms, suggesting that the reporter misled them regarding the piece's focus.

She expressed her disappointment, noting that the initial intention seemed to honor Vanessa’s lasting influence and legislative progress following her death.

“When he first reached out to me…he said he was interested in doing a four-year story, the four-year anniversary of Vanessa’s murder,” Khawam explained. Instead, the narrative diverged significantly, becoming a purported "gotcha" moment against Trump rather than a tribute to Vanessa.

Family Defends Reputation Amid Controversy

Khawam felt the original promise of a reflective piece had been compromised, leading Mayra to clarify her political views publicly. Although not her usual practice, Mayra shared that she had supported Trump, largely because of her disillusionment with political developments over the past several years.

Mayra declared that discussing politics was never her initial intention. However, she felt a strong need to defend her family's reputation and her sister's legacy amidst claims that had suddenly thrust Vanessa's name into the political arena.

The bereaved sibling lamented, "After four long years, and it was just a slap in the face to my family and myself…for my sister…It was very upsetting.”

The article's timing, close to an election, contributed to the controversy surrounding it, with Mayra emphasizing her disappointment with its impact on her family.

Moving Forward After Controversial Coverage

Despite this challenging episode, Mayra remains focused on defending her sister’s memory, urging respect for Vanessa’s significant influence on important military policy changes.

Vanessa’s death prompted legislative reforms aimed at better protection against sexual harassment and assault within the military ranks.

Looking forward, Mayra hopes that future coverage surrounding her sister will reflect the positive legacy Vanessa left behind, rather than become entangled in political discourse.

While grappling with these issues, the family continues to emphasize respect for Vanessa's enduring legacy, which spurred breakthroughs in military policies designed to foster safer environments for service members. Mayra concludes, “The last four years have been full of disappointments.” She hopes that vigilance regarding her family's narrative will ensure the honorable memory of her sister's influence remains untarnished.

In conclusion, the Guillén family stands united in distancing Vanessa's memory from politicization, seeking instead to preserve her legacy of reform and honor.

Mayra Guillén and her attorney highlight the need for accurate journalistic storytelling that focuses on impactful progress rather than political spectacles.