Donald Trump angered some military mental-health advocates by suggesting that veterans in the throes of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder who take their own lives 'can't handle' the 'horror stories' they have seen in combat.

But veterans were quick to rush to his aid in the face of a furious media onslaught – which Trump's campaign quickly called 'propaganda' calculated to benefit his opponent Hillary Clinton.

The Republican presidential nominee made the remarks during a Q&A session Monday morning following remarks to a military veterans group whose members are mostly evangelical Christians.

He highlighted the suicide rate among veterans – 22 each day – and criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs for failing to provide them with appropriate care before it's too late.

SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO

Campaign: Trump highlighted the suicide rate among veterans – 22 each day – and criticized the Department of Veterans Affairs during a stump event in Virginia

Veterans talk: Trump was speaking at a round table hosted by General William Boykin, left, and Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, right

'We are losing so many great people that can be taken care of if they had proper care,' he told the Retired American Warriors PAC in a suburban Virginia hotel ballroom.

'People come back from war and combat, and they see things that maybe a lot of the folks in this room have seen many times over,' he said, 'and you're strong and you can handle it, but a lot of people can't handle it.'

'And they see horror stories. They see events that you couldn't see in a movie. Nobody would believe it.'

The VFW, America's largest combat veterans organization, seemed to back up Trump in a statement shortly afterward.

'It is true that not everyone can handle traumatic events, be it from war, bad car accidents, violent crime or even surviving a hurricane,' a spokesman for the group said.

'Regarding veterans, we need to treat those who need help and research how two people experiencing the same time and place can be impacted so differently.'

And Marine Staff Sergeant Chad Robichaux, who asked the question that sparked Trump's comment, also said a 'political agenda' was responsible for the firestorm of controversy that followed Trump's appearance.

'I think it's sickening that anyone would twist Mr. Trump's comments to me in order to pursue a political agenda,' said Robichaux, who suffered from PTSD after eight combat tours in Afghanistan.

'I took his comments to be thoughtful and understanding of the struggles many veterans have, and I believe he is committed to helping them.

'The nature of my question focused on a broken system that's failing so many of our veterans and, as president, would Mr. Trump take a more holistic approach to health care for veterans. I interpreted his answer to affirm that the system is broken and he would take the necessary steps to address it.'

Trump added Monday morning that mental health care for military vets is 'one of the things that I think is least addressed' by the government agency, but 'one of the things that I hear the most about when I go around and talk to the veterans.'

He blamed infamously long wait times at veterans hospitals for driving mentally ill servicemen and women into despair.

Anger: Some social media users expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's characterization of PTSD

'People are killing themselves what are waiting on line because they have days and days before what could be a simple procedure, a simple prescription, and the wait is so long, they can't take it,' Trump said.

News outlets that have covered Trump's campaign aggressively – including some he has accused of being partial to Clinton – enlarged the controversy, drawing a Trump campaign statement from retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.

'The media continues to operate as the propaganda arm of Hillary Clinton as they took Mr. Trump's words out of context in order to deceive voters and veterans – an appalling act that shows they are willing to go to any length to carry water for their candidate of choice,' Flynn said.

'Mr. Trump was highlighting the challenges veterans face when returning home after serving their country. He has always respected the service and sacrifice of our military men and women—proposing reforms to Veteran Affairs to adequately address the various issues veterans face when they return home.'