Trump skips solemn ceremony for soldiers, sparks backlash
President of the USA, Donald Trump, decided not to participate in the ceremony receiving the bodies of four American soldiers who died during exercises in Lithuania. A Fox News journalist reported that Trump is spending time at his golf course in Florida and is also participating in the LIV golf tournament in Doral, near Miami, sponsored by the Saudi Arabian sovereign fund.
According to Jen Griffin, Fox News correspondent at the Pentagon, President Trump remained in Florida and did not travel to Dover AFB for the dignified transfer of the bodies.
However, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attended the ceremony at the Air Force base in Dover, Delaware.
The president of Lithuania bid farewell to the American soldiers. Donald Trump did not attend
Trump's decision not to attend the ceremony in Dover sparked controversy. U.S. presidents often participate in such events, though it is not mandatory. In the past, similar situations have led to political disputes, such as the criticism of Joe Biden for his behavior during the ceremony receiving the bodies of soldiers killed in Kabul. The President reportedly glanced at his watch, which was considered a serious faux pas.
The four soldiers who died in Lithuania are 25-year-old Edvin Ben Franco, 25-year-old Jose Duenez, 21-year-old Dante Gogo Taitano, and 28-year-old Troy Smith Knutson-Collins. Their M88 Hercules armored vehicle fell into a swamp during the mission. After a week-long rescue operation, the bodies of three were found in the car, and the body of the fourth was found in the swamp.
On Thursday, thousands of residents, including President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, attended a ceremonial farewell for the soldiers in Vilnius.
