In a recent episode of “Meet The Press,” host Kristen Welker made headlines for all the wrong reasons. During an interview with Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), she falsely claimed that Vice President Kamala Harris attended the dignified transfer ceremony for the 13 U.S. service members who tragically lost their lives in the Kabul suicide bombing during the Afghanistan withdrawal. This error prompted NBC News to issue a retraction.
Controversy Surrounds Arlington Ceremony
The discussion between Welker and Senator Cotton quickly turned heated as they addressed accusations from left-wing leaders. Vice President Harris, along with others, has accused former President Donald Trump of “disrespecting sacred ground” by laying a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of those fallen service members. In stark contrast, Gold Star families—those who have lost relatives in military service—have come forward to defend Trump against these allegations, stating that he was there to pay tribute rather than engage in political theater.
“President Trump was invited by us, the Gold Star families, to attend the solemn ceremonies commemorating the three-year anniversary of our children’s deaths,” said family members in a joint statement. “He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”
Biden and Harris Opted Out
The families clarified that both President Biden and Vice President Harris had also been invited to participate in the memorial ceremony but chose not to attend. This absence raised eyebrows and fueled further criticism from supporters of Trump.
Senator Cotton used his platform on “Meet The Press” to reinforce Trump’s position amid left-wing attacks directed at Gold Star families and incorrect claims surrounding this event. He emphasized that Trump did not take campaign photos during this somber occasion; instead, he highlighted how Gold Star families specifically wanted him present.
A Day of Remembrance for Families
“As they told me yesterday when I spoke to Kelly Barnett and Darren Hoover—the parents of Taylor Hoover—they don’t get to go to the beach on Labor Day or enjoy barbecues like many Americans do,” Cotton explained passionately. “This is their one chance to have a memory of their children, commemorate their service, and honor their sacrifice. They wanted President Trump there.”
Cotton continued, pointing out that while Gold Star families sought Trump’s presence for meaningful photographs together, both Biden and Harris were elsewhere—Biden reportedly relaxing on a beach while Harris remained at her residence in Washington D.C.
NBC’s Retraction Over Misleading Statements
The situation escalated further when Welker interjected during her interview with Senator Cotton by mistakenly claiming that Vice President Harris had joined President Biden at Dover Air Force Base on August 29, 2021. This was meant to reference when flag-draped cases carrying American heroes’ remains returned home. However, following scrutiny over her statement, NBC News swiftly issued a retraction confirming that while Biden attended the dignified transfer ceremony, Harris did not.
“On our broadcast this morning, we incorrectly implied that both President Biden and Vice President Harris attended the dignified transfer of 13 American service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal,” stated an official account from “Meet The Press” via Twitter. “Biden was in attendance but Harris was not.”
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