Trump skips solemn ceremony, opts for golf in Florida instead
The President of the USA, Donald Trump, decided not to participate in the ceremony to receive the bodies of four American soldiers who died during exercises in Lithuania. As reported by a Fox News journalist, Trump is spending time at his golf course in Florida and 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 stayed in Florida and did not travel to Dover Air Force Base for the dignified transfer of the bodies.
However, the Secretary of Defence, 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. US presidents often participate in such events, though it is not mandatory. In the past, similar situations have led to political disputes, such as criticism of Joe Biden for his behaviour 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 armoured vehicle fell into a bog 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 bog.
On Thursday, a ceremonial farewell for the soldiers was held in Vilnius, attended by thousands of residents, including President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda.
