The deaths of four US soldiers during a training mission in Lithuania have sparked outrage, not only due to the tragedy itself but because of President Donald Trump’s shocking response to the incident.
The soldiers were confirmed dead after disappearing during a training mission in Lithuania, near the Belarusian border. They were part of a routine exercise when they went missing, along with a tank, near the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed the tragic news on March 26, 2025.
The soldiers were conducting scheduled training when they vanished. “While I was speaking, the news came out about four American soldiers who were killed in an incident in Lithuania,” Rutte said to reporters in Warsaw, Poland. “This is really terrible news, and our thoughts are with the families and loved ones.”
The US embassy in Vilnius also issued a statement identifying the soldiers as part of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. “They were conducting scheduled tactical training at the time of the incident. Search and recovery efforts are underway,” the embassy said.
The US military hasn’t given many details yet, but Lieutenant General Charles Costanza expressed gratitude to Lithuania’s armed forces for their quick response in the search.
“I would like to personally thank the Lithuanian Armed Forces and first responders who quickly came to our aid in our search operations,” Costanza said. “It’s this kind of teamwork and support that exemplifies the importance of our partnership and our humanity.”
The soldiers were last seen alive on March 25 while riding an armored vehicle near Pabradė, a town located just six miles from the Belarusian border. They were training at the General Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, a site close to Belarus. Lithuania, a NATO member, has tense relations with Belarus, which is allied with Russia.
When asked if he had been briefed on the incident, President Donald Trump admitted he hadn’t received any information (video below). His answer immediately sent shockwaves across social media, with many people questioning his competence and leadership.
“So who’s president then?” one person wrote.
“If Trump would have read his daily briefing, he would have known about this. Instead, he was too busy watching FOX,” said user Denison Barb.
“I agree,” Aileen Blas added, saying, “My grandfather would say, ‘He’s like a broken arm: useless.’”
Others were even more outraged. “He’s the commander in chief, and he has deceased US soldiers, yet he has no clue? What is going on here, folks? This is absolutely absurd to think he has no clue about deceased US soldiers! Hasn’t been briefed? This is unacceptable and unprecedented, terrible,” wrote user David Jennison.
“Remember, he told us all that US soldiers were suckers. So why would he want to know? Am I wrong?” Michael Keegan questioned.
“I think it’s a fair assessment that he’s not actually the President,” one person said.
“Trump is not in charge,” another declared.
“Trump is COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF and is unaware of his own troops. Shameful!” someone else added.
Watch the clip below:
Reporter: Have you been briefed about the soldiers in Lithuania? Who are missing?
President Trump: No, I haven’t. pic.twitter.com/IP4NKoSsUu
— Acyn (@Acyn) March 26, 2025
