Fox News Airs Old Hatless President Donald Trump Footage As If From Dignified Transfer, Apologizes

Fox News broadcast archived footage of Donald Trump while covering a dignified transfer for six U.S. service members killed in Kuwait, then apologized after viewers and hosts flagged the mismatch.

“Fox News apologizes for showing old video of a hatless Donald Trump at a dignified transfer ceremony Fox News apologized for airing old video of a hatless President Donald Trump during coverage Sunday of his attendance at the dignified transfer ceremony for U”

Associated Press

Multiple outlets reported that the network mistakenly showed video from a December ceremony - in which Trump was not wearing the white hat he wore at the recent Dover Air Force Base transfer - even as hosts described the event as having occurred 'earlier today.'

Associated Press

The error was aired repeatedly on Sunday morning before being acknowledged on air and corrected.

Fox News issued an apology and attributed the incident to a sourcing error, with on-air staff and a network spokesperson saying old footage was inadvertently used.

Griff Jenkins, co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, posted a video statement saying the clip was from a previous transfer, expressing regret and extending condolences.

Mandatory

Fox News Media confirmed the mistake and said it "deeply regret[s] the error."

The timing of the gaffe amplified controversy because President Trump attended the recent Dover transfer wearing a white "USA" ball cap marked "45-47," a choice that drew sharp bipartisan criticism and prompted public condemnation of his attire for the solemn ceremony.

““Fox & Friends” apologized Sunday for airing footage of Donald Trump from December 2025 that the show presented as if it were from this week’s dignified transfer of six service members killed in Kuwait”

TheWrap

Observers noted there are no formal rules about presidential headwear, even as critics across party lines called the cap disrespectful.

Sources contextualized the transfer as returning remains from an Iranian drone strike tied to Operation Epic Fury.

Reactions were mixed on whether the clip error should be treated as a partisan attack or a production mistake.

Some pushed back against weaponizing the incident for political jabs, as one quoted voice said, "If you are using this as a way to take a partisan jab at my hard working colleagues, check your watch".

Washington Examiner

Public figures and commentators called attention to the perceived disrespect, and outlets reported that the Pentagon identified the six service members whose remains were returned.