Newsom slams Trump after seventh US soldier dies in Iran strike: ‘But don’t worry, he is golfing’

United States Central Command said a US service member died from injuries sustained during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks on US troops
PUBLISHED MAR 9, 2026
Gavin Newsom said on X that a seventh US soldier had died and criticized Donald Trump, accusing him of golfing despite the loss (Getty Images)
Gavin Newsom said on X that a seventh US soldier had died and criticized Donald Trump, accusing him of golfing despite the loss (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted President Donald Trump after reports said a seventh American soldier lost their life in an Iran strike. The news was shared on Sunday, March 8, by the military, days after it was reported that six service members died at the civilian port of Shuaiba in Kuwait last week.



In a post shared on X, Newsom wrote, “A 7th American soldier is now dead. But don’t worry, Donald Trump is golfing,” referring to reports that the commander-in-chief spent time golfing over the weekend.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 03: Governor of California Gavin Newsom speaks onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images for The New York Times)
Governor of California Gavin Newsom speaks onstage during The New York Times DealBook Summit 2025 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on December 03, 2025 in New York City (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images for The New York Times)

Seventh US service member dies after Iran strike

The 58-year-old politician’s comment came after the United States Central Command issued a statement on X, saying, “Last night, a US service member passed away from injuries received during the Iranian regime’s initial attacks across the Middle East. The service member was seriously wounded at the scene of an attack on US troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on March 1.”



“This is the seventh service member killed in action during Operation Epic Fury. Major combat operations continue. The identity of the fallen warrior will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin notification,” it added.

DOVER, DELAWARE - MARCH 07: U.S. President Donald Trump, U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and first lady Melania Trump stand at attention as a U.S. Army carry team moves a flagged-draped transfer case containing the remains of Maj. Jeffery R. O'Brien at Dover Air Force Base March 07, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. Six soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command were killed in action by an Iranian drone strike on March 1 in Port Shuabia, Kuwait during
President Donald Trump, US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff and first lady Melania Trump stand at attention as a US Army carry team moves a flagged-draped transfer case containing the remains of Maj Jeffery R O'Brien at Dover Air Force Base March 07, 2026 in Dover, Delaware. Six soldiers from the 103rd Sustainment Command were killed in action by an Iranian drone strike on March 1 in Port Shuabia, Kuwait during 'Operation Epic Fury' (Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images)

The seventh service member’s death was reported a day after the dignified transfer of the six soldiers took place. Trump, as well as other top officials, joined the soldiers’ families at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Trump says Iran war will continue

The Republican leader, however, asserted that the deaths of soldiers will not stop him from continuing the war.

“The parents would be upset if I did that. The parents said to me, every one of them, ‘Please sir, win this for my boy,’ and in one case a young woman, as you know. ‘Please, win this for my child,’” he said.

President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance attend a casualty return for the soldiers who were killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the U.S. and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance attend a casualty return for the soldiers who were killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait after the US and Israel launched its military campaign against Iran, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Dover Air Force Base (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Regarding the dignified transfer event, Trump added, “It was a beautiful event. It was a beautiful, beautiful event, where I met the parents. They were devastated but proud,” while noting that he has no idea about the duration of the war.

“I don’t know. I never predict. All I can say is we are ahead of schedule both in terms of lethality and in terms of time,” he stated.

Trump also dismissed pushback from some of his own allies. He noted, “It’s more popular than ever. It’s a very MAGA thing what we’re doing. A very very MAGA thing. Because otherwise we won’t have a country either, we’ll be hit. And MAGA is all about saving America … I’m at the highest point I’ve ever been with MAGA.”

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