Trump Faces Backlash for Golfing as 7th US Soldier Dies in Iran War

Critics slam former president for hitting the links while US troops remain in harm's way.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump faced intense criticism after video emerged of him golfing at his own resort in Miami, Florida, just hours after the US military confirmed a seventh American service member had died in the Iran war he ordered. Senior Democratic politicians and public figures immediately condemned Trump's actions, accusing him of prioritizing his own leisure over honoring the sacrifices of US troops.

Why it matters

The backlash highlights the deep political tensions and public outrage over Trump's handling of the ongoing Iran conflict, which has now claimed the lives of several American soldiers. The optics of a former president golfing as his troops die in battle has struck a nerve, reviving longstanding criticisms of Trump's perceived indifference to the human cost of the military operations he initiated.

The details

The video footage showed Trump returning from a round of golf at his Trump National Doral resort on the morning of March 8, 2026, just hours after US Central Command announced that a soldier wounded during Iran's retaliatory strikes on March 1 had died of their injuries the previous night. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and California Governor Gavin Newsom were among the prominent figures who swiftly condemned Trump's actions, accusing him of prioritizing his own leisure over honoring the sacrifices of US troops.

  • On March 8, 2026, video footage showed Trump returning from a round of golf at his Trump National Doral resort.
  • Also on March 8, 2026, US Central Command announced that a soldier wounded during Iran's retaliatory strikes on March 1 had died of their injuries the previous night.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who ordered the military operation against Iran that has resulted in the deaths of several US service members.

Hakeem Jeffries

The House Minority Leader who posted a direct rebuke of Trump's actions on social media.

Gavin Newsom

The Governor of California who also criticized Trump for golfing while US troops remained in harm's way.

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What they’re saying

“America is at war, TSA agents aren't being paid and this guy is playing golf. Why are House Republicans continuing to support this train wreck? Sycophants.”

— Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader (X)

“He's golfing after bombing children and raising your gas prices.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (X)

“A 7th American soldier is now dead. But don't worry, Donald Trump is golfing.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California (X)

The takeaway

The stark contrast between Trump golfing and US soldiers dying in the Iran war he ordered has sparked a major political backlash, reviving longstanding criticisms of the former president's perceived indifference to the human cost of his military actions and his tendency to prioritize his own leisure over honoring the sacrifices of American troops.