President Donald Trump honored Army 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan during a Wednesday event in Marietta, Georgia, though the remarks drew mixed reactions online, particularly because Feehan’s family was present in the audience.
The comments came one day after Trump attended a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for four U.S. service members killed in the Middle East. Feehan, 25, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was among those killed in attacks linked to the conflict with Iran, along with Pvt. Isabella Gonzales, 19, of Carrollton, Texas, Sgt. Angel S. Rampersad, 28, of Ozone Park, New York, and Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, 30, of Spring Lake, North Carolina.
Trump later traveled to Georgia for an event at Wheeler High School in Marietta, where he said he had met Feehan’s parents, Shari and Stephen, and his uncle David earlier in the day at Dover.
The President told attendees that “one of the families” was also headed to Georgia, which happened to be the same destination he was flying to.
“‘Well if you want, I’ll give you a ride on Air Force One,'” Trump said, telling the crowd he offered the family to join him.
“And they said, ‘wow, wow,'” he continued.
Trump added that the family were ‘heartbroken’ but ‘couldn’t believe it’.
MUST WATCH: Emotional tribute to parents of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, U.S. soldier killed in Iranian attack, at @potus rally in Georgia pic.twitter.com/v16G9LEnfa
— The Story (@TheStoryFNC) July 22, 2026
During the event, attended by Feehan’s parents and uncle, Trump said: “We will carry Tyler’s memory in our hearts forever. And I just want to thank you. It’s an honor to have you here today,” as the President and the crowd erupted into cheers.
He also said: “He’s looking down right here, he’s so proud. Together we are making our country safer and stronger and far more successful than it has ever been before. That’s happening before your very eyes. That’s why I call it the golden age.”
Reaction on X, formerly known as Twitter, was divided. One user wrote: “Disrespectful person, he’s the one that’s put lives in danger because of his illegal campaign against Iran!”
Another penned: “Remembering fallen heroes keeps their legacy alive, but ending foreign conflicts must remain the top priority. Bringing our service members home safely is the ultimate way to honor them.”
Others, however, supported the tribute. One commenter wrote: “So moving. God bless the soldier and his family.”
In a statement released after Feehan’s death, his family said: “Our hearts are shattered. Tyler James Feehan, our son, our “Tivo,” was taken from us far too soon, alongside other American heroes lost or wounded in this same tragic attack.”
Earlier this week, Trump warned that Iran would ‘pay’ for the deaths of American troops.
Posting on Truth Social, he wrote: “Every time Iran kills an American Soldier they will pay for that killing many times over!”
“This directive has been passed on to Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Daniel Caine, and every Leader in the Military. President DONALD J TRUMP.”