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Americans Disgusted Over Trump Blowing Off Dignified Transfer of Slain Soldiers for Golf Event

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In a move that’s left many veterans and military families shaking their heads, Donald Trump opted to attend a Saudi-backed golf event at his Doral Golf Course rather than the dignified transfer ceremony for four U.S. soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a training exercise in Lithuania. The dignified transfer, a solemn military ritual, took place at Dover Air Force Base without the presence of the so-called commander-in-chief. Instead, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth represented the administration at the ceremony.

The fallen soldiers—Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins—were honored in Lithuania with a heartfelt memorial before their remains were returned to the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Lithuania shared images of the tribute, highlighting the respect and gratitude extended by the Lithuanian people.

Joe Stutler, a U.S. Army veteran with service dating back to 1982, expressed his deep disappointment:

“I can’t begin to express my disgust with what this administration is doing to the troops and the veterans… Coming home from dying in service and ‘I’m going to hang out with the Saudis because of golf?’ I’m disgusted at a minimum.”

Blythe Potter, who served in the Military Police Corps and was deployed to Iraq from 2005 to 2006, echoed similar sentiments:

“I have never been so embarrassed to be an American than I have these last few months, and now, Donald Trump is completely disrespecting four of my brothers in arms to play golf.”

This isn’t the first time Trump’s actions regarding military honors have come under scrutiny. In 2017, he faced criticism for playing golf during the funeral of Sgt. La David Johnson, one of four soldiers killed in Niger. Additionally, in 2024, there was controversy over his campaign staff’s altercation with an Arlington National Cemetery official during a visit to Section 60, the burial site for many U.S. service members.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda (C) and more pay tribute to four fallen U.S. soldiers on April, 3, 2025. Photo: Yauhen Yerchak/Anadolu via Getty

These incidents have led to a broader conversation about the importance of presidential presence at military ceremonies and the message it sends to service members and their families. While it’s understood that a president’s schedule is demanding, many believe that honoring fallen soldiers should take precedence over leisure activities. It’s obvious Trump doesn’t care about our country, nor for the men and women who died to protect it. He cares about Trump, always has and always will.

In the eyes of many veterans and military families, actions speak louder than words. Attending a dignified transfer is a profound gesture of respect and gratitude. Skipping such an event for a golf outing not only raises questions about priorities but also risks alienating those who have sacrificed the most for the nation.

As expected, Trump is being eviscerated on social media:

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