Released American schoolteacher Marc Fogel reacts during a Feb. 11, 2025, event held by President Donald Trump to welcome back Fogel, who had been held in Russia since 2021. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)
There were 46 American nationals known to be held captive in 16 different countries in 2024, according to the nonprofit Foley Foundation, which advocates for U.S. hostages and was named after James Foley, a U.S. journalist kidnapped while reporting in Syria in 2012 and killed by ISIS in 2014. That number is now likely closer to the low 30s after the recent releases of hostages in January and February.
On Tuesday, Trump met with Fogel, who was arrested in August 2021 at a Russian airport for possessing drugs and was slated to serve a 14-year sentence. Fogel’s family said the drugs he had on him were medically prescribed marijuana.
"I want you to know that I am not a hero in this at all," Fogel said Tuesday after meeting Trump. "And President Trump is a hero.
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"These men that came from the diplomatic service are heroes," Fogel said. "The senators and representatives that passed legislation in my honor — they got me home — they are heroes."
Following Foley’s return and after announcing the release of another, unnamed hostage held in Belarus Wednesday, Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Adam Boehler said Trump "has made bringing Americans home a top priority, and people respond to that."
The names of most of the hostages released in February have not been publicly shared.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital about which hostages the U.S. was planning to release next.
Former President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump both took credit for their role in securing the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. (Getty Images)
"Who in the history books gets credit for this, Mr. President, you or Trump?" Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich asked Biden Jan. 15 after a White House news conference.
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"Is that a joke?" Biden said.
When Heinrich said it was not, Biden replied, "Oh. Thank you."
The Associated Press and Fox News’ Emma Colton and Landon Mion contributed to this report.
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/heres-how-many-hostages-trump-has-freed-his-first-month-president