Trump skips ceremonial tribute for soldiers, stirs controversy
President of the United States, Donald Trump, decided not to participate in the ceremony welcoming the bodies of four American soldiers who died during exercises in Lithuania. According to a Fox News journalist, Trump is currently in Florida at his golf course and is participating in the LIV Golf tournament in Doral, near Miami, which is sponsored by the Saudi Arabian sovereign fund.
As reported by Jen Griffin, a Fox News correspondent at the Pentagon, President Trump remained in Florida and did not travel to Dover Air Force Base 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, although it is not mandatory. In the past, similar situations have led to political disputes, such as when Joe Biden faced criticism for his behaviour during a ceremony where the bodies of soldiers killed in Kabul were received. He 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 armoured vehicle fell into a bog during the mission. After a week-long rescue operation, the bodies of three soldiers were found in the car, and the body of the fourth was found in the bog.
On Thursday, a ceremonial farewell for the soldiers was held in Vilnius, attended by thousands of residents, including the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda.
