The Two Times Donald Trump Skipped Ceremonies For Fallen U.S. Soldiers: A Deep Dive Into The Controversies

The decision by a former President to skip a ceremony honoring fallen U.S. soldiers is a move that consistently sparks intense national debate, touching the raw nerve of military respect and presidential duty. As of December 15, 2025, the political landscape continues to grapple with the implications of Donald Trump's past absences from solemn military honors, specifically two high-profile instances that drew widespread criticism and raised fundamental questions about his commitment to the armed forces. These events are not isolated incidents but part of a larger narrative that has defined his relationship with the U.S. military community.

The most recent and concerning instance involves the dignified transfer ceremony for troops killed in a training exercise, which was reportedly bypassed in favor of political and personal engagements. This follows a highly publicized 2018 controversy where a WWI cemetery visit was cancelled. Understanding the full context of these two separate events—the circumstances, the official explanations, and the resulting political fallout—is essential to grasping the depth of the controversy and the entities involved, from high-ranking officials to the Gold Star families.

The Dignified Transfer Controversy: Prioritizing Mar-a-Lago Over Dover

One of the most recent and scrutinized instances of Donald Trump skipping a solemn military honor involved the dignified transfer ceremony for four U.S. Army soldiers. These brave troops tragically lost their lives during a training exercise in Lithuania, a critical NATO ally where U.S. forces are often stationed to deter Russian aggression.

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The dignified transfer is a deeply respectful and private ceremony where the remains of fallen service members are received at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. For many Gold Star families, the presence of the Commander-in-Chief is a profound gesture of national gratitude and respect.

The Details of the Absence

Instead of attending the Friday ceremony at Dover, the former President departed Washington on Thursday. His schedule included a high-profile LIV Golf dinner in Miami, followed by an overnight stay at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida for a candlelight MAGA dinner on Friday. This scheduling choice led to immediate and sharp criticism from political opponents and military veterans alike.

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• The Fallen: Four U.S. Army soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania.
• The Location: Dover Air Force Base, Delaware (site of the dignified transfer).
• The Alternative: Attendance at an LIV Golf event and a fundraising dinner at Mar-a-Lago.
• Official Representation: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the ceremony in Trump's stead.

Critics argued that the optics of prioritizing a golf-related event and a political fundraiser over honoring the ultimate sacrifice of American troops were profoundly disrespectful. Some commentators even labeled the decision as "golf diplomacy," suggesting a complete disconnect from the duties of a national leader.

The soldiers had previously been honored during a dignified departure ceremony in Lithuania, which was attended by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda. This fact further amplified the criticism that a foreign head of state showed more respect to the fallen U.S. troops than their own military leader.

The Infamous Aisne-Marne American Cemetery Snub (2018)

The Dover incident echoes a previous, highly publicized controversy from 2018. During a trip to France for WWI commemoration events, Donald Trump cancelled his scheduled visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial. This cemetery is located adjacent to the historic Belleau Wood battlefield, where U.S. Marines fought a crucial and bloody battle.

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The Official Explanation vs. The Allegations

The White House's official explanation for the cancellation was logistical. They cited "light rain" and an inability to fly the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to the site. The Secret Service reportedly deemed the motorcade alternative too complicated due to the short notice and the distance from Paris.

This explanation was widely derided, as other world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, attended their respective ceremonies despite the weather. The optics of the U.S. President missing a ceremony for American war dead due to rain were devastating.

The controversy intensified significantly two years later when *The Atlantic* magazine published a bombshell report. The article, which was later corroborated by multiple media outlets, alleged that Trump had cancelled the visit because he did not want to appear at a cemetery "full of losers." The report claimed he had referred to the American troops buried there, who died fighting in World War I, as "suckers" and "losers."

Trump vehemently denied the allegations, calling the report "fake news." However, the damage to his standing with the military community was substantial and long-lasting. The alleged comments became a central entity in the narrative of his strained relationship with the armed forces.

The Political Fallout and the Erosion of Topical Authority

The pattern of skipping ceremonies for fallen U.S. soldiers—whether the WWI memorial in France or the dignified transfer at Dover—has created an enduring political vulnerability for Donald Trump. For a politician who often champions a "America First" and strong military stance, these actions have consistently undermined his topical authority on issues of military reverence and respect for veterans.

Impact on Gold Star Families and Veterans

The most significant impact is often felt by Gold Star families—the immediate relatives of fallen service members. For them, a presidential presence is not a political statement but a deeply personal acknowledgment of their sacrifice. Skipping the Dover ceremony, which is a key moment for these families, is seen by many as a profound slight, regardless of the official explanation involving LIV Golf or fundraising commitments.

The military community, which includes a vast network of veterans and active-duty personnel, views the respect shown to the dead as a fundamental measure of a leader's character. Entities like the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion often issue statements or express concern following such incidents, emphasizing the importance of presidential attendance at these sacred ceremonies.

The Presidential Precedent

The actions also break with a long-standing presidential precedent. Attending the dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, while not mandatory, has been a tradition upheld by many modern presidents, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden. Former President Biden, in particular, made a point of visiting the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, which Trump had skipped, further highlighting the contrast in approaches to military remembrance.

The controversies surrounding the Aisne-Marne cemetery and the recent dignified transfer of the four soldiers killed in Lithuania have become defining moments. They serve as key arguments for critics who question the depth of Donald Trump's respect for the U.S. Armed Forces and the sacrifices made by its members. As he continues to dominate the political sphere, these historical absences remain a potent and frequently revisited element of his public record.

The underlying question that continues to fuel the debate is whether a president's political or personal schedule can ever justify missing a ceremony that honors the nation's fallen heroes. For many, the answer is a resounding 'no,' cementing these two skipped ceremonies as enduring symbols of controversy.