Donald Trump has come under fire after skipping a ceremony honouring four fallen American soldiers to attend a golf dinner as global markets crashed due to his own trade policies. The US President was criticised for flying to his Florida resort and dining with Saudi LIV Golf executives instead of attending a dignified transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base on Friday.

The four US soldiers died during a training accident in Lithuania last month. Their bodies were recovered this week after their vehicle was found submerged in a peat bog. A solemn transfer ceremony was held as their coffins arrived back in the US, but Trump did not attend. Instead, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth represented the administration. According to NBC News, Trump left Washington on Thursday to host a reception at his Doral golf resort.

There was plenty of backlash online. A video shared on X by the account ‘Trump’s Lies’ showed Trump in a golf cart with the caption: “He’s skipping the dignified transfer of American soldiers who died in Lithuania to go golfing.

“On the same day his tariffs sent stocks PLUMMETING. He literally does not give a s**t about you.”

Another X user added: “The President just skipped honouring dead soldiers to hit the golf course - on the same day the economy tanked because of his own policy.

“Historic moment, really. First time someone managed to disrespect the troops and the market before noon.”

A third wrote: “He never did nor will ever respect the American people. It’s all about his agenda first.”

Trump’s actions also came under fire from public figures.

Lawyer Tristan Snell wrote: “Trump abandons fallen soldiers, goes golfing instead.”

He claimed Trump cancelled a meeting with the families of the four servicemen in favour of hosting sponsors for a tournament.

Zac Petkanas, a former adviser to Hillary Clinton, said: “Trump is refusing to go to Dover Air Force Base. He's attending a golf dinner reception instead.”

Meanwhile, Democratic strategist Matt McDermott accused Fox News of hypocrisy for failing to cover the story, after previously criticising former President Joe Biden for looking at his watch during a transfer ceremony.

The backlash comes at a time when global markets are in chaos following Trump’s newly announced reciprocal tariffs on imports.

The FTSE 100 saw its biggest one-day drop since March 2020, closing down 4.9%.

In the US, the Nasdaq entered “bear territory”, trading 20% below its most recent peak.

The S&P 500 fell 4.4%, while the Dow Jones dropped by 2.7% as fears grew that tariffs could fuel inflation and slow growth.