26 Americans freed from captivity abroad under Trump, including Taliban and Hamas hostages
Since President Donald Trump entered the Oval Office in January, at least 26 Americans held hostage abroad have been freed. These individuals come from various backgrounds, including a ballerina, a teacher, and a mechanic, among others. Let’s take a closer look at some of the stories of these individuals who have regained their freedom.
Ryan Corbett and William McKenty were released from Taliban captivity in Afghanistan on January 21, 2025. While the deal securing their release was completed by the Biden administration, it happened during Trump’s second term. Corbett had been living in Afghanistan with his family since 2010, working for NGOs and starting projects to strengthen the country’s private sector. McKenty’s reasons for being in Afghanistan remain unknown.
Anastasia Nuhfer was detained in Belarus during the Biden administration and gained her freedom on January 26, 2025. The arrest was linked to protests against Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Six unnamed American citizens were also released after a meeting between special envoy Ric Grenell and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Keith Siegel spent 484 days as a hostage in Gaza before being released on February 1, 2025, as part of a ceasefire deal. Siegel credited Trump with saving his life and urged the president to continue working to free the remaining hostages in Gaza. American schoolteacher Marc Fogel was released from Russian captivity on February 11, 2025, after more than three years of detention for carrying a small amount of medical marijuana.
On February 12, 2025, an unnamed American unjustly detained in Belarus was released. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed the administration’s commitment to freeing Americans held hostage worldwide. Israeli American Sagui Dekel-Chen was released from Hamas captivity in Gaza in February 2025 after spending almost 500 days as a hostage.
Ten American citizens, including veterans and military contractors, were released from captivity in Kuwait on March 13, 2025, on drug charges. Delta Airlines mechanic George Glezmann was held hostage in Gaza for over two years before being released on March 20, 2025. Faye Hall, who was arrested for using a drone without authorization, was released by the Taliban in March 2025.
Russian American ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina was wrongfully detained for over a year before being released on April 10, 2025. These individuals have expressed gratitude to President Trump for their freedom, highlighting the importance of ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages worldwide.
