By Guest 
In a move that’s sparked outrage across the nation, President Donald Trump skipped a solemn ceremony honoring four American soldiers killed in a tragic training exercise in Lithuania, choosing instead to swing clubs at a glitzy golf tournament in Miami.
While the remains of the fallen heroes—Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano—arrived at Dover Air Force Base on Friday, April 4, 2025, Trump was spotted cruising the greens at his Trump National Doral Golf Club, rubbing elbows with Saudi-backed LIV Golf elites.
Trump Ditches Fallen Heroes for Fairways
The dignified transfer at Dover, a tradition steeped in reverence for America’s fallen, saw Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth standing in for the Commander-in-Chief.
Meanwhile, in Vilnius, Lithuania, thousands lined the streets alongside President Gitanas Nausėda to pay respects as the soldiers’ remains departed for the U.S.—a stark contrast to Trump’s absence stateside. Critics are calling it a slap in the face to military families, with social media erupting in fury. “Four of our dead Soldiers will be flying into Dover this weekend. But you gotta golf?” one X user fumed, echoing a tidal wave of disbelief.
The backlash intensified as news broke that Trump jetted off to Florida on Thursday for a LIV Golf dinner reception—funded by Saudi millions—followed by a weekend of tee-time at his resort.
“Trump’s code is that the Saudis are paying him millions to host the golf tournament, so that’s where he is,” blasted Ron Filipkowski of MeidasTouch on X. Veterans and their spouses voiced disgust, with one telling Mediaite, “I’m appalled but not surprised,” while another lamented, “I have never been so embarrassed to be an American.”
This isn’t Trump’s first brush with controversy over honoring the fallen. Reports recall his refusal to attend dignified transfers after a Navy SEAL’s father snubbed him in 2020. Now, as Democrats like Sen.
Mark Kelly and Rep. Ruben Gallego slam his priorities—Kelly calling it “condemnable,” Gallego tying it to VA cuts fears—the split-screen of a grieving nation and a golfing president has ignited a firestorm. “Ceremony for fallen soldiers, mass layoffs, and cratering stock market… but what’s Trump doing? Attending a Saudi golf tournament,” Rep. Darren Soto (D-Fla.) jabbed on X.
Maggie Haberman of The New York Times didn’t mince words, telling CNN’s Anderson Cooper, “He’s stopped caring about certain optics… It’s not just playing golf—he went to a Saudi-backed event his family business profits from.”
As the LIV Golf Miami tournament rolls on, the question burns: Will Trump address the grieving families, or is this another bogey on his record? Stay tuned—America’s watching, and the outrage is only heating up.