• Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
Economy

At least 26 American hostages released since Trump took office

by April 13, 2025
by April 13, 2025

At least 26 Americans held hostage abroad have been freed since President Donald Trump entered the Oval Office in January. Those who gained their freedom include a ballerina, a teacher and a mechanic, among others.

Ryan Corbett and William McKenty

On Jan. 21, 2025, just one day after Trump’s second term began, Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were released from Taliban captivity in Afghanistan. While Corbett and McKenty were freed under Trump, the deal that secured their release was completed by the Biden administration.

Corbett and his family moved to Afghanistan in 2010, where they lived in Kabul and Jalalabad. According to a website set up by his family, Corbett did work for NGOs, which focused on education, birth and life-saving skills. He also started a project in 2017, Bloom Afghanistan, with the goal of strengthening the country’s private sector. In 2021, the Corbett family evacuated as the Taliban took control of the country. Corbett returned to Afghanistan a year later and was captured by the Taliban, which his family suspects was because of his ‘value as political leverage.’

There aren’t many details on McKenty or exactly why he was in Afghanistan. According to the BBC, his family asked for privacy.

Anastasia Nuhfer

Anastasia Nuhfer, who was detained in Belarus during the Biden administration, gained her freedom Jan. 26, 2025. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Nuhfer’s release, he did not give details on when she was detained or why. However, according to The Associated Press, a former high-ranking Belarusian official said the arrest was linked to 2020 protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. 

Six unnamed American citizens

Special envoy Ric Grenell secured the release of six Americans after meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Grenell posted a photo of himself and the men on a plane and said that they ‘couldn’t stop thanking’ Trump when speaking to him on the phone. The men were not identified.

Keith Siegel

After spending 484 days as a hostage in Gaza, Keith Siegel was released as part of a ceasefire deal Feb. 1, 2025. Siegel was taken from Kibbutz Kfar Aza during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks. His wife, Aviva, was also taken hostage but was released in November 2023. 

On April 8, Siegel, who has credited Trump with saving his life, thanked the president during an NRCC event in Washington, D.C.

‘President Trump, I am here, and I am alive. President Trump, you saved my life,’ Siegel said. He also asked Trump to continue working to secure the freedom of the 59 remaining hostages in Gaza.

Marc Fogel

American schoolteacher Marc Fogel was released from Russian captivity Feb. 11, 2025, more than three years after he was detained. Fogel was carrying less than one ounce of medical marijuana, according to his family’s website, which he used for severe pain. The Fogel family criticized former President Joe Biden’s handling of Marc’s case, especially in light of his work to release WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was also arrested for having marijuana. 

On July 13, 2024, Fogel’s mother, Malphine, attended a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, Marc’s hometown. She spoke with Trump, who promised to bring her son home.

Trump invited Marc and Malphine to attend his address to a joint session of Congress in March 2025.

Unnamed American

On Feb. 12, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that an American ‘unjustly detained in Belarus’ had been released. The statement did not include details or identifying information about the hostage. In a press release, Rubio affirmed the administration’s commitment to releasing Americans held hostage across the globe.

Sagui Dekel-Chen

On Oct. 7, 2023, Israeli American Sagui Dekel-Chen was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was shot in the shoulder during the massacre and endured torture while in captivity.

Dekel-Chen spent almost 500 days as a hostage in Gaza and gained his freedom in February 2025. While he was in captivity, his wife gave birth to their third child. He only learned about his daughter’s birth after being released.

10 unnamed Americans

On March 13, 2025, 10 unidentified Americans, including veterans and military contractors, were released from captivity in Kuwait. According to The Associated Press, the American citizens were detained on drug charges.

George Glezmann

Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann spent more than two years as a hostage in Gaza after being detained by the Taliban in December 2022. According to senators John Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, both Democrats from Georgia, Glezmann went to ‘Afghanistan for a five-day trip to explore the cultural landscape and rich history of the country.’ The two senators advocated for Glezmann’s release, which eventually occurred March 20, 2025.

Faye Hall

The Taliban released Faye Hall in March 2025, though it is unclear when she was detained. CBS News reported that Hall was arrested on charges of using a drone without authorization.

The Trump administration posted a video of Hall thanking the president for her release. In the video, Hall said she had ‘never been so proud to be an American citizen.’

Ksenia Karelina

Russian American ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina was released from detention April 10, 2025, after being wrongfully detained for over a year. Karelina was arrested and sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony after donating approximately $50 to a Ukrainian charity.

‘Mr. Trump, I’m so, so grateful for you bringing me home,’ a teary-eyed Karelina said upon her arrival in the U.S. ‘I never felt more blessed to be American.’

Christopher Guly contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
DAVID MARCUS: Sorry Dems, literally nobody believes married women can’t get IDs
next post
US stocks open lower: Dow down 240 points, S&P slips 0.4%

Related Posts

Inflation Remained Low in April, But How Long...

May 31, 2025

Inflation Remained Low in April, But How Long...

May 31, 2025

Alleged attempt to impersonate White House chief of...

May 31, 2025

Unfinished Business: The budget cuts Musk couldn’t complete...

May 31, 2025

Donald Trump fires National Portrait Gallery director for...

May 31, 2025

‘American hero’ or ‘failure’: Elon Musk’s DOGE departure...

May 31, 2025

Elon Musk sports black eye at farewell presser...

May 31, 2025

Biden says he could ‘beat the hell out...

May 31, 2025

Musk confident DOGE will save $1 trillion as...

May 31, 2025

Who will be Elon’s successor? The top names...

May 31, 2025

Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.

By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

Recent Posts

  • Inflation Remained Low in April, But How Long Can Monetary Policy Remain Tight?

    May 31, 2025
  • Inflation Remained Low in April, But How Long Can Monetary Policy Remain Tight?

    May 31, 2025
  • Interview: Strategic location gives Brazil Potash cost advantage in domestic fertiliser market, says CEO Matt Simpson

    May 31, 2025
  • Why are investors concerned about Marvell’s custom AI chips business?

    May 31, 2025
  • Regeneron stock crashes on COPD data: here’s why I’m buying REGN today

    May 31, 2025
  • US picks Palantir as data analysis partner, but why you shouldn’t jump into PLTR

    May 31, 2025

Editors’ Picks

  • 1

    Walmart earnings preview: What to expect before Thursday’s opening bell

    February 20, 2025
  • 2

    Meta executives eligible for 200% salary bonus under new pay structure

    February 21, 2025
  • 3

    New FBI leader Kash Patel tapped to run ATF as acting director

    February 23, 2025
  • 4

    Elon Musk says federal employees must fill out productivity reports or resign

    February 23, 2025
  • 5

    Anthropic’s newly released Claude 3.7 Sonnet can ‘think’ as long as the user wants before giving an answer

    February 25, 2025
  • 6

    Nvidia’s investment in SoundHound wasn’t all that significant after all

    March 1, 2025
  • 7

    Cramer reveals a sub-sector of technology that can withstand Trump tariffs

    March 1, 2025

Categories

  • Economy (1,299)
  • Editor's Pick (132)
  • Investing (165)
  • Stock (832)
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Portfolio Performance Today
  • Investing
  • Stock
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Copyright © 2025 Portfolioperformancetoday.com All Rights Reserved.

Read alsox

The Larry Summers Shout-Down Response Shows the...

March 6, 2025

Trump says US not willing to make...

April 7, 2025

Inside US Air Traffic Control: Conflicts of...

May 21, 2025