Fox News issues apology for airing old Trump footage during Iran war casualties coverage

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Fox News issued an apology Sunday, March 8, after facing outrage over airing an outdated video during coverage of a Dignified Transfer ceremony for six US service members killed in a drone strike linked to Iran during Operation Epic Fury.

The footage showed an older video of President Donald Trump without a hat, even though the president was photographed wearing a white "USA" ball cap with "45-47" on the side during the actual ceremony.

Clips broadcast on Fox News on Saturday, March 7, showed older footage of the president without the cap as anchors discussed the return of the fallen troops.

Fox News' Griff Jenkins apologizes for dignified transfer coverage

During a subsequent broadcast, Fox News correspondent Griff Jenkins acknowledged the error.

"We want to acknowledge a mistake earlier on our program during our coverage of yesterday’s dignified transfer. We inadvertently aired video from an older dignified transfer instead of the ceremony that took place yesterday," Jenkins said in a video statement.

"We deeply regret the error and extend our condolences to the service members' families. We honor the sacrifice of those six American heroes."

Jenkins is a co-host of the Fox & Friends Weekend program, which aired the incorrect footage during its coverage on Saturday.

The dignified transfer honored six American service members who were killed when an Iranian drone struck a tactical operations center at Port Shuabia in Kuwait, a logistics hub used by US forces to move equipment and supplies across the region. At least 18 other service members were wounded in the attack.

The US Department of Defense identified the six service members killed in the attack as Major Jeffrey R O'Brien, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Captain Cody A Khork, Sergeant 1st Class Noah L Tietjens, Sgt 1st Class Nicole M Amor and Sgt Declan J Coady.

All were members of the Army Reserve assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa. Officials said they were killed when a drone struck the operations center at Port Shuabia, which supports US military logistics operations throughout the region.

Trump's hat at military ceremony invites criticism

Online, many accused Fox News of deliberately using old footage of the Dignified Transfer to hide Trump's hat.

Trump's attire drew criticism from political figures and commentators who said it was inappropriate for the solemn military tradition.

The president's decision to wear his self-branded ball cap during the ceremony drew sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans. Among those condemning the choice was former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele.

"This fool has ABSOLUTELY no sense of dignity or appreciation for the moment. It is called the Dignified Transfer for a reason. Take your damn hat off!!" Steele said.

A press account associated with Gavin Newsom, the Democratic governor of California, also criticized the president’s attire in a social media response to a video of the ceremony, writing that he should "Take your hat off, you disgusting little man."

While the US military has strict rules governing headwear for service members, there are no explicit regulations for presidents attending dignified transfers. Historically, commanders-in-chief have typically appeared in formal attire during the ceremonies.

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