Trump’s awkward medal moment with daughter of fallen PBSO deputy goes viral
See President Trump’s awkward moment with PBSO deputy’s daughter
President Donald Trump and a daughter of fallen PBSO deputy shared an icy interaction during medal ceremony that went viral.
The daughter of a fallen Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy went viral after an icy interaction with President Donald Trump at the White House.
Trump presented Alexandria Diaz, daughter of Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, with the Medal of Sacrifice during an Oval Office ceremony on May 19. Diaz was one of three officers struck and killed by an SUV while assisting with a roadside breakdown west of Wellington in November.
Alexandria, 24, stood stone-faced as Trump handed her the medal and avoided eye contact as he appeared to try to engage her. Trump glanced at Alexandria as she displayed the medal to photographers. If he expected some form of acknowledgment or warmth, he got none.
Alexandria did not immediately return a request for comment.
After clip goes viral, deputy’s daughter says she is ‘not a Republican’
The clip amassed more than 3 million views and been widely shared under the caption: “Trump looks confused, shocked, and embarrassed about why this woman accepting a medal on her father’s behalf refused to worship the ground he walks.”
“He can’t believe she won’t even look at him,” one viewer posted.
“She’s not a phony. Good for her,” said another.
A third wrote: “The poor girl looks like she’s in a hostage video.”
Alexandria addressed the moment in a TikTok video.
“This is actually my worst nightmare, to go viral, become a meme, whatever,” she said. “I literally just landed back home and got a text from my friend that was like, ‘You’re going viral.’ And I was like, ‘God, no.’ ”
Alexandria said she is “not a cop” and “not a Republican.” She ended the brief video by saying “Free Palestine.”
The ceremony honored Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputies Diaz and Ralph “Butch” Waller Jr. and Cpl. Luis Paez Jr. They were posthumously awarded the first-ever Medals of Sacrifice, intended to recognize officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Paez, 58, was an avid photographer on the brink of retirement. Waller, 54, was an outdoorsman once honored by his captain for his outstanding work ethic. Diaz, 51, helped to convict a driver blamed for one of the deadliest crashes in Riviera Beach’s history.
All three belonged to PBSO’s traffic division. Between them, the men had a combined 75 years of experience at the sheriff’s office. Each was sent airborne when an SUV veered off Southern Boulevard and hit them where they stood, preparing to jumpstart a department-issued motorcycle. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
“My dad treated every day like it was his last,” Alexandria said during a memorial service for the three men. “He loved getting on that bike every day. Coincidentally, this was his favorite time of year because it wasn’t hot. He loved getting on the motorcycle in these days.”
Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.
