Donald Trump is facing backlash online after he canceled a meeting with the families of four US soldiers who died in a training accident, choosing instead to host a golf event with Saudi executives at one of his resorts in Florida.
The four soldiers, part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, died while on a training mission in Lithuania. Their bodies were brought back to the US on Thursday, and a dignified transfer took place at the cathedral square in the Lithuanian capital. Government and religious leaders attended to honor the fallen soldiers before their return to the US.
This incident comes after Trump imposed some of the highest tariffs on imports the US has seen in over 100 years, including rates up to 50% on goods from certain countries. The European Union called these tariffs a “major blow” to the world economy.
Instead of attending the dignified transfer of the soldiers’ remains at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on April 4, Trump was spotted at his Trump National Doral Miami golf course in Florida. NBC News reported that Trump missed the event because he was attending a reception at his resort.
Social media quickly reacted, with many criticizing Trump for his absence. Lawyer and commentator Tristan Snell shared on Twitter, “This evening Trump was supposed to meet the families of 4 fallen US soldiers as their coffins return from Lithuania where they were killed in an accident. He canceled. Instead, he dined with Saudi golf execs and sponsors for a golf tournament at one of his resorts.”
Context makes this video worse. He’s skipping the dignified transfer of American soldiers who died in Lithuania to go golfing. On the same day his tariffs sent stocks PLUMMETING. He literally does not give a shit about you. pic.twitter.com/5UyOJbyTQR
— Trump’s Lies (Commentary) (@MAGALieTracker) April 4, 2025
In addition to this controversy, Trump, who began his second term earlier this year, has claimed that if he runs for president again, it will be his fourth term, not his third. He has also recently announced new tariffs targeting a group of uninhabited volcanic islands near Antarctica, which are home only to penguins.
