Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino with the World Cup trophy during the trophy presentation REUTERS/Lee Smith
President Donald Trump drew criticism for his delayed and dismissive response to three American soldiers killed over the weekend in Iranian drone attacks.
The U.S. military reported James Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, were killed in Jordan, according to PBS News.
Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, died during a "controlled detonation" in Iraq, The Guardian reported.
Trump did not respond to the deaths until Sunday while talking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, before traveling to the World Cup Final in New York City. When asked about the deaths, Trump said, "We feel very badly, but you know—"
He continued, "Those great people, those great patriots, are out there fighting so Iran could not have a nuclear weapon," reported MS NOW.
His statements came after having spent most of the weekend playing golf and attending social events.
Global affairs columnist David Rothkopf criticized Trump's response on "The Daily Beast Podcast," saying, "It's kind of remarkable the degree to which Trump does not know how to relate to people, does not know what a human reaction is."
Rothkopf argued Trump lacks empathy.
"He just doesn't care. And the message of Donald Trump is very Emperor Nero-esque: I will party while America burns."
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