Fox News got caught airing the wrong footage during the most solemn moment of the Iran war, and their apology isn’t sitting well with anyone

Fox News aired the wrong footage during its coverage of a dignified transfer ceremony that took place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The ceremony honored six U.S. service members killed in the Middle East war against Iran.

Among those remembered was U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Declan Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa, who was killed in a drone strike at a command center in Kuwait. According to Mediaite, the ceremony also honored Maj. Jeffrey O’Brien, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Marzan, Capt. Cody Khork, Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, and Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens.

During the actual ceremony, President Trump was seen wearing a baseball cap as the flag-draped transfer cases of the fallen soldiers were moved. Critics pointed out that wearing a baseball cap during such a solemn event was a sign of disrespect. However, the footage aired during the first hour of “Fox & Friends Weekend” on Sunday showed President Trump without a hat, leading many to believe the network was trying to present the president in a more favorable light.

Fox News called it an honest mistake, but not everyone is buying that explanation

The network quickly issued an apology, stating that archival footage from an earlier ceremony was “inadvertently pulled up by a staff member” and used by mistake. A spokeswoman noted that the correct footage had been used at other times, including on Saturday. The network said in its official statement, “We regret the error and apologize for the incorrect footage.”

Anchor Griff Jenkins also delivered an on-air correction saying, “We want to acknowledge a mistake made earlier on our program. During our coverage of yesterday’s dignified transfer, we inadvertently aired video from an older dignified transfer instead of the ceremony that took place yesterday. We deeply regret the error and extend our respect and condolences to the service members’ families. We honor the sacrifice of those six American heroes.”

Reports have also emerged that American soldiers are being held prisoner by Iran, adding further tension to an already sensitive situation. However, the apology has not stopped the criticism. Many online suggested the error was not accidental but a deliberate attempt to mislead viewers. 

Mehdi Hasan, founder of an online site, said, “If 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.” This comes at a time when Trump’s relationship with Fox News is already strained, after he recently snapped at one of the network’s reporters over a question about Russia.

Even within the network’s own circle, there was clear disappointment. Johnny “Joey” Jones, a veteran and co-host on the network, expressed strong feelings on social media, saying he was “embarrassed and ashamed” that this had occurred. 

Jones, while believing it was an honest mistake, emphasized that “that doesn’t make it an acceptable one.” He also added, “Few things are more sacred than our heroes who give their lives in the line of duty,” and invited critical comments to be directed at him personally rather than at his colleagues.