Trump Addresses Hostage Return Efforts at CPAC, Criticizes Biden’s Actions

US President Donald Trump delivered a powerful message on Saturday during his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), emphasizing the importance of bringing home slain hostages, just as much as those still alive. Reflecting on heartbreaking conversations with parents of hostages, Trump recalled hearing their desperate pleas: “Please, sir, could you get my son back?” With a sorrowful response, “Sir, my son is dead,” Trump highlighted the emotional toll and the need for closure by ensuring the return of the deceased hostages’ bodies.

He expressed unwavering commitment, saying, “We will not rest until all of the hostages have been returned back home.” Some hostages, he noted, are in dire physical condition, while others return only in the form of their bodies.

Trump also spoke about the return of six hostages from Hamas captivity in Israel, marking a significant development in hostage negotiations. However, he criticized the handling of the situation by his successor, President Joe Biden, claiming that Biden had failed to secure any hostages' release. “Biden got none back, by the way, just so you understand. None. Zero,” Trump stated, asserting that Biden would have never managed to bring any hostages home.

Trump's remarks come after the release of six hostages who had been held by Hamas for extended periods, including Tal Shoham, Omer Shem Tov, Omer Wenkert, Eliya Cohen, Avera Mengistu, and Hisham Al-Sayed. The hostages were freed in the Gaza Strip after over 500 days in captivity, marking a crucial moment in ongoing negotiations. The deal, which has already seen several waves of releases, continues to progress with the hope of bringing more hostages back to their families.