Fox News apologized for airing old video of a hatless President Donald Trump during coverage Sunday of his attendance at the ceremony for U.S. soldiers killed in the Middle East war, insisting it was an honest mistake.
In a polarized time, some online critics suggested without evidence that it wasn’t an error 鈥� that the network was trying to make Trump look better by not showing him wearing a baseball cap during what is considered one of the most solemn duties of a commander in chief. The return of the bodies of six soldiers took place Saturday at Dover Air Force Base.
But Fox News said archival footage of Trump at an earlier ceremony was inadvertently pulled up by a staff member and used on two Sunday morning telecasts. A spokeswoman noted the correct footage was used at other times, including on Saturday.
鈥淲e regret the error and apologize for the incorrect footage,鈥� Fox said in a statement.
Fox News anchor Griff Jenkins issued an on-the-air correction Sunday, saying 鈥渨e extend our respect and condolences鈥� to the families of the service members killed.
The apology didn’t sit well with some critics. 鈥淚f any other network did this it would be a huge scandal, Fox would lead the chorus of criticisms and faux-outrage, and people would lose their jobs,鈥� said , founder of the online site Zeteo.
Johnny 鈥淛oey鈥� Jones, a veteran and co-host of 鈥淭he Big Weekend Show鈥� on Fox News Channel, said on social media that he was 鈥渆mbarrassed and ashamed鈥� that this happened.
鈥淢y belief was that this was an honest mistake, but that doesn’t make it an acceptable one,鈥� Jones wrote. 鈥淔ew things are more sacred than our heroes who give their lives in the line of duty.鈥�
Jones said that 鈥渋f posting snarky comments and insults is your way of reacting to this, please direct them at me. I’m the one with sharp words on these issues. If you are using this as a way to take a partisan jab at my hard working colleagues, check your watch.鈥�
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David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at and .
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