Donald Trump skipped a solemn ceremony for the dignified transfer of fallen U.S. soldiers this week, choosing instead to attend a lavish dinner for the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour at his resort in Florida. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from veterans’ groups, military families, and lawmakers who say it reflects a disturbing disregard for American service members.

The dignified transfer, held at Dover Air Force Base on April 3, marked the return of four soldiers killed during a training exercise in Lithuania. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stood in for the president at the ceremony. Meanwhile, Trump remained in Florida, where he was photographed attending a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in support of the controversial LIV Golf tournament.

Images from the event show Trump smiling alongside Saudi business partners and LIV executives. Critics have noted that his appearance came just hours before the transfer of the soldiers’ remains—a moment typically treated as sacred by commanders-in-chief.

Veterans groups expressed outrage. “This wasn’t just a scheduling conflict—it was a deliberate choice to prioritize a business dinner over grieving families and military honor,” said a representative of Veterans for Accountability. “You can’t claim to respect the troops while skipping ceremonies like this.”

The White House defended the president’s actions, claiming he was “working on behalf of the American people,” and accused critics of political opportunism. Still, the optics have drawn intense scrutiny. Trump’s personal and political closeness to the Saudi regime—especially after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi—has long been controversial. His administration’s embrace of LIV Golf, funded by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is seen by many as part of that larger pattern.

For families of the fallen, the absence was felt. One Gold Star parent, speaking anonymously, said, “We noticed. Everyone noticed. It mattered that he wasn’t there.”

This episode adds to mounting concerns about Trump’s priorities as president. In choosing a luxury golf dinner over a solemn military ceremony, Trump once again signaled where his loyalty lies—not with the troops, but with the foreign money backing his ventures.