Fox News Apologizes After Airing Old Hatless Trump Footage At Dignified Transfer

Fox News apologized after airing archival footage of a hatless President Trump during coverage of a dignified transfer of six U.S. service members, a mistake that presented earlier video as part of the recent ceremony.

“I'm unable to access the specific article from the Richmond Register due to restrictions on their website”

Richmond Register

The Washington Examiner reported that Fox News aired archival footage of a previous dignified transfer while discussing Saturday’s ceremony for six U.S. service members killed in an Iranian drone strike in Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury.

Washington Examiner

Sfgate stated that Fox News accidentally aired archival footage of a hatless President Trump during coverage of the dignified transfer of six U.S. soldiers at Dover Air Force Base.

The Richmond Register summarized the episode by saying that in early March 2026 Fox News apologized after mistakenly airing an old video presented as recent that showed former President Donald Trump at a formal event without his usual hat, which prompted public confusion and criticism.

The Washington Examiner and Sfgate referred to him as 'President Trump', while the Richmond Register referred to him as 'former President Donald Trump', creating a contradiction in the titles used by the sources.

Fox News said the error was unintentional, issued corrections on air, and said anchors and a company spokesperson described it as a sourcing or sourcing-staff error.

Sfgate reports the network said a staffer inadvertently pulled earlier ceremony footage for two Sunday morning broadcasts and that correct footage had been shown at other times, including Saturday.

Washington Examiner

Anchor Griff Jenkins issued an on-air correction and Fox expressed regret for the error.

Washington Examiner similarly notes that Griff Jenkins, co-host of Fox & Friends Weekend, said in a video statement that old video was inadvertently used, expressed regret, extended condolences, and that a Fox News Media spokesperson called it a sourcing error and apologized.

The Richmond Register emphasizes that the network issued a formal apology.

The footage mistake intersected with an already contentious debate over President Trump's headwear at the ceremony, prompting bipartisan criticism and online speculation.

“Fox News issued an apology Sunday for airing old footage of a dignified transfer in which President Donald Trump was not wearing a ballcap during the dignified transfer of six American service members killed so far by Iran in Operation Epic Fury”

Washington Examiner

Washington Examiner reports that the mistake came as President Trump attended the recent transfer wearing a white 'USA' ball cap with '45-47' on the side, a choice that drew sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans who called it disrespectful.

Commenters including Gov. Gavin Newsom's press account and former RNC chair Michael Steele publicly condemned the hat.

Observers note there are no formal rules about presidential headwear even though presidents typically wear formal attire for such ceremonies.

The Richmond Register notes the incident prompted public confusion and criticism.

Sfgate records that some online critics—without evidence—suggested the mistake was deliberate to make Trump look better.

Sfgate also reports that veteran Fox co-host Johnny 'Joey' Jones called the error unacceptable and said he was embarrassed and ashamed.

The episode drew attention to both the dignity of the transfer and to the mechanics of newsroom sourcing.

Outlets noted that correct footage had been aired at other times and that the Pentagon had identified the six service members whose remains were returned.

Washington Examiner

Sfgate reports that correct footage had been shown at other times, including Saturday.

Washington Examiner records that the Pentagon identified the six service members whose remains were returned.

The Richmond Register places the incident in timing terms, saying that in early March 2026 Fox News apologized after mistakenly airing an old video.

The coverage was also picked up and reported widely, including by AP as noted in Sfgate.