Trump once again uses profane language in reference to Soleimani during a military tribute in the U.S.
Trump's Controversial Joke About Qassem Soleimani at Purple Heart Ceremony
US President Donald Trump faced criticism for making an offensive joke about Qassem Soleimani, the Iranian military leader who was killed in a US drone strike in January 2020, during a solemn ceremony honoring Purple Heart recipients on August 7, 2025.
The joke was made during the signing of an executive order related to Purple Heart Day, a national holiday in the US that honors troops who have been hurt or killed in action. Trump, in a seemingly inappropriate move, integrated Soleimani into the military tribute, combining political and controversial humor.
During the ceremony, Trump referred to Soleimani as the "father of the roadside bomb" and mockingly asked, "Where is he? Where is he?" while referring to a US soldier injured by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. The tone and timing of the joke led to objections and criticism, as making light of Soleimani’s death in that setting was considered offensive by some observers.
Trump's previous remarks about Soleimani were equally controversial. In a speech in 2020, he called Soleimani the "king of roadside bombs" and blamed him indirectly for hurting many Americans. He also made a comment about a meeting between Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the head of the Kataib Hezbollah group, by saying, "They were talking like Hillary Clinton-weddings and work, maybe even golf and grandchildren."
Some people in the room laughed at Trump's statement, but the joke was widely criticized for being offensive, especially since Soleimani's death. Trump also made a comment about the loss of limbs and lives due to Soleimani's actions, saying, "A lot of people lost arms and legs because of that son of a... well, you know." He didn't finish the swear word.
Trump has always maintained that the strike was vital to protect American lives from immediate danger. However, the controversy surrounding his remarks continues to cast a shadow over his presidency.
- Trump's jest during the Purple Heart ceremony about Qassem Soleimani, involving roadside bombs, was met with criticism and deemed inappropriate, echoing previous controversial comments about the Iranian military leader in 2020.
- The general-news event of the controversy surrounding Trump's remarks about Qassem Soleimani has overshadowed discussions about the business implications of the US-Iran relationship, a relevant subject in both politics and economic spheres.
- The war-and-conflicts context of Soleimani's death in 2020 and its subsequent political and security repercussions has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Trump's insensitive remarks, which also exemplify the boundary between politics and entertainment.
- The crime-and-justice department may consider investigating the borderline offense of Trump's remarks about Qassem Soleimani, given the gravity of the historical military leader's contributions to war-and-conflicts, particularly the context of his death and the impact on American troops.
