Maggie Haberman claims Trump chose golf over Dover ceremony as he ‘stopped caring about certain optics’

WASHINGTON, DC: CNN political analyst Maggie Haberman insisted that President Donald Trump​ skipped attending the dignified transfer of four US soldiers who died during a training accident in Lithuania to be present at a golf tournament in Florida on Friday, April 4, because he no longer cared for "optics", reported Mediaite.

Trump flew over to Florida the day before to participate in the inauguration of the three-day Saudi-backed LIV Golf series at his Doral golf resort and is set to spend the rest of his weekend in the state. The Trump family is known to be a business partner of LIV Golf.

The incumbent kept himself occupied on the day of the transfer ceremony by hosting a fundraising dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort. His administration was represented at the somber event taking place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

The bodies of the four soldiers were recovered after authorities dug their armored vehicle out of a peat bog in Lithuania. The soldiers were identified as Troy S Knutson-Collins, 28; Jose Duenez Jr, 25; Edvin F Franco, 25; and Dante D Taitano, 21.

What did Maggie Haberman say about Donald Trump skipping transfer ceremony?

Maggie Haberman told CNN anchor Anderson Cooper on Friday night that the 78-year-old commander-in-chief is not bothered to keep up certain appearances in his second term and feels secure enough to do what he wants.

"I think long ago he stopped caring about certain optics, and he’s made very clear during this presidency, he’s going to do what he wants. And you know, it’s not just playing golf," she stated.

"He went down to a Saudi-backed golf tournament that his family business does business with, to speak at some event related to that. So yes, all of this is true," she added.

The New York Times political correspondent further stated that the POTUS' mindset applied to other issues plaguing his administration as well, such as the backlash following his recent tariff announcement.

"He is not messaging this in a way that suggests that he understands what average people might be going through right now," noted Haberman. "And part of what it is is he is convinced he is right, he is going to show people he is correct, he has believed in tariffs for 40 years, he wanted to do this last time, and he was stymied by a bunch of advisors who were much more pro-free trade. And now he’s gonna do what he’s going to do. He’s doing it in a very different economy post-COVID."

Internet joins Maggie Haberman in slamming Donald Trump

Netizens reacting to Maggie Haberman's comments sided with her in calling out President Donald Trump on the social media platform X. The following tweets demonstrate their takes.

"He doesn't care about optics for himself but he damn sure will play the culture war for everyone else. Rule for thee and not for me. The emperor truly has no clothes," wrote a user.

"Trump looks at it as optics. We look at him missing the transfer of our fallen soldiers as a measure of disrespect to them & a slap in the face to their families," shared another.

"Trump does not need to care about optics. His fans love when he s**ts all over other people," a user commented.

"Exactly. He's never cared about the country or any of us, and now he's stopped caring about pretending," remarked another.

"That is nothing new. He didn’t care about any of this previously," a user noted.

"Yep, now that he knows he's not going to jail he shows us his true colors," said another.

"It's not like he ever had any morals," a comment read.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.