Fox News apologizes for mistaken clip of Trump at dignified transfer
- Fox News Media apologized for airing old footage of a dignified transfer ceremony involving Donald Trump.
- The recent ceremony was for six soldiers killed in an Iranian drone attack, where Trump wore a “USA” hat.
- The older, incorrectly aired footage showed Trump without a hat.
Fox News Media has apologized for using old footage of President Donald Trump at a dignified transfer for fallen service members over the weekend.
Trump on March 7 received the remains of six soldiers who died in an Iranian drone attack after the U.S. and Israel conducted airstrikes on the country. The solemn event took place at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Trump wore a white hat with gold lettering that said “USA” on the front and “45-47” on the side. Removing a hat is widely considered a sign of respect and honor. Fox News over the weekend showed Trump at a dignified transfer event without a hat, but it was footage from an earlier event.
“We inadvertently aired video from an older dignified transfer instead of the ceremony that took place yesterday,” Griff Jenkins said on “Fox & Friends Weekend” on March 8. “We deeply regret the error and extend our respect and condolences to the service members’ families.”
A Fox News Media spokesperson also apologized and said they regret the error in a statement provided to USA TODAY.
What did Trump say about the fallen soldiers?
The six American soldiers were killed in a March 1 drone attack in Kuwait.
“As one nation, we grieve for the true American patriots who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Even as we continue the righteous mission for which they gave their lives, we pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen,” Trump said in a March 1 social media video. “Sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is.”
Another American soldier has died since the dignified transfer, as well as at least 1,230 people in Iran, nearly 400 in Lebanon and at least 11 in Israel.
“It’s a very sad day, and I’m glad we paid our respects. It’s a tough situation,” Trump said after Saturday’s event while aboard Air Force One. “Great people, great parents, wives, family. A beautiful ceremony.”
But asked if it made him rethink the military action in Iran, he dismissed the idea.
“We’re winning the war by a lot, we’ve decimated their whole evil empire. It’ll continue, I’m sure, for a little while,” Trump said. “It’s the sad part of war, it’s the bad part of war.”
Contributing: Francesca Chambers, Jonathan Limehouse, Thao Nguyen, Christopher Cann, USA TODAY
Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at KCrowley@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X (Twitter), Bluesky and TikTok.
