In a statement addressing the backlash, the families clarified their position, saying, “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. He was there to honor their sacrifice, yet Vice President Harris has disgracefully twisted this sacred moment into a political ploy.”

Senator Cotton Defends Trump

During his appearance on “Meet the Press,” Sen. Cotton defended Trump’s decision to attend the Arlington ceremony, emphasizing the importance of the event to the grieving families. Cotton explained, “He didn’t take campaign photos. These are Gold Star families, whose children died because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ incompetence. They invited him to the cemetery, and they asked him to take those photos.”

He continued, “As they told me yesterday, when I spoke to Kelly Barnett and Darren Hoover, the parents of Taylor Hoover, who has Arkansas ties, they don’t get to go to the beach on Labor Day. They don’t get to have barbecues. This is their one chance to have a memory of their children, to commemorate their service and to honor their sacrifice. They wanted President Trump there.”

Cotton Criticizes Biden and Harris

Sen. Cotton also criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their absence at the Arlington event, noting that both had been invited by the families.

“Where were they?” Cotton asked rhetorically. “Joe Biden was sitting at a beach. Kamala Harris was sitting at her mansion in Washington, D.C.”

This pointed critique highlighted a growing frustration among many who feel the Biden administration has failed to adequately address or honor the sacrifices made by the military and their families during the Afghanistan withdrawal.

Kristen Welker’s False Claim

It was during this portion of the discussion that Kristen Welker attempted to defend Vice President Harris by making an untrue statement. Welker claimed that Harris had joined President Biden in attending the dignified transfer of the 13 service members at Dover Air Force Base on August 29, 2021.

The dignified transfer was the somber occasion during which the flag-draped caskets of the fallen soldiers were returned to the United States. The event became infamous for President Biden’s behavior, as he was widely criticized for appearing to check his watch during the ceremony.

However, Vice President Harris was not present at this event. Her absence was widely noted at the time, adding to the criticism of the administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

NBC’s Retraction

Following the broadcast, NBC News’ official “Meet the Press” account on X (formerly Twitter) issued a public retraction, acknowledging Welker’s error. The statement read:

“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. Biden was in attendance, but Harris was not.”

The retraction drew further scrutiny, with many questioning how such a significant error could have been made on a flagship news program.

Backlash and Criticism

Welker’s false claim, combined with NBC’s retraction, sparked widespread criticism. Conservatives, in particular, seized on the incident as an example of media bias and the perceived willingness of mainstream outlets to defend the Biden administration, even at the expense of accuracy.

One commenter summarized the frustration, saying, “This is exactly why trust in media is at an all-time low. They can’t even get basic facts straight when defending their favorite politicians.”

Another wrote, “The fact-checking team at NBC failed miserably. Welker’s job is to ask questions, not rewrite history to protect Kamala Harris.”

The Larger Context

This controversy comes at a time when the Biden administration is under fire for its handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, which resulted in the deaths of 13 service members and left hundreds of Americans and Afghan allies stranded. The administration’s response to the tragedy has been criticized as inadequate, with many pointing to the lack of accountability and empathy for the families of the fallen.

Welker’s false claim not only undermined her credibility but also highlighted the sensitivity surrounding the issue. The dignified transfer of the 13 service members remains a poignant reminder of the human cost of policy decisions, and any misrepresentation of those events only adds to the frustration of the families and the public.

Conclusion

The backlash over Kristen Welker’s false statement on “Meet the Press” underscores the importance of accuracy, particularly when discussing events as significant and emotional as the deaths of service members. While NBC issued a retraction, the damage to Welker’s credibility and the broader perception of the media was already done.

As the Biden administration continues to face scrutiny over its handling of military and foreign policy issues, moments like this only serve to deepen divides and erode public trust in both government and media institutions.