First photos, videos of Josh and Thamy Holt following release
May 26, 2018, 12:37 PM | Updated: 9:02 pm
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Josh Holt has been reunited with his family. Sen. Hatch posted this sweet video.
Reunited. pic.twitter.com/Lb43PfEVXQ
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) May 26, 2018
President Trump held a press conference in the Oval Office following the return of Josh Holt and his wife Thamy. Holt addressed the media saying he was “overwhelmed with gratitude.” He thanked those in the room for supporting him and his wife through a “very, very, very difficult two years.”
The first photos, and videos of Josh and Thamy Holt came out Saturday morning following their release and were tweeted out by Luis Olavarrieta.
In a video tweeted by Olavarrieta, the caption, translated to English, reads, “#26May moment in which Joshua Holt part of Venezuela heading to the United States.”
#26May Momento en el que Joshua Holt parte de Venezuela rumbo a Estados Unidos.
Vídeo vía @grupodeboston. pic.twitter.com/amx2QCGqX7
— Luis Olavarrieta (@LuisOlavarrieta) May 26, 2018
In the first tweet from Olavarrieta, the caption, translated to English, reads, “#26May Exclusive | Joshua Holt and his wife Támara meet with relatives in the waiting room at the airport. In minutes they’ll board the plane that will take you to #Washington.”
#26May EXCLUSIVA | Joshua Holt y su esposa Támara se reúnen con familiares en la sala de espera del aeropuerto. En minutos abordarán el avión que los llevará a #Washington. pic.twitter.com/olxBozCUtC
— Luis Olavarrieta (@LuisOlavarrieta) May 26, 2018
In a second tweet, the caption, translated to English, reads, “#26May 1: Exclusive 24pm | Officials of the Sebin and the American embassy guard the Holt family-Cali in the waiting room of the airport.”
#26May 1:24pm EXCLUSIVA |Funcionarios del Sebin y de la embajada americana custodian a la familia Holt-Caleño en la sala de espera del aeropuerto. pic.twitter.com/tOE6mnj3lC
— Luis Olavarrieta (@LuisOlavarrieta) May 26, 2018
Sen. Bob Corker traveled from Venezuela to Washington, D.C. with Josh Holt and his wife Thamy. He tweeted this photo.
I am pleased to join Senator Hatch and President Trump in announcing the release of Josh and Thamy Holt. We are on our way home. pic.twitter.com/0Ku2pzwOYL
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) May 26, 2018
President Donald Trump said in a tweet the couple would be flown to Washington, D.C. where they would be reunited with family at the White House around 7 p.m. (est).
Good news about the release of the American hostage from Venezuela. Should be landing in D.C. this evening and be in the White House, with his family, at about 7:00 P.M. The great people of Utah will be very happy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018
Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Sen. Orrin Hatch says Sen. Bob Corker was in the air by 12:50 p.m. with Josh and Thamy Holt. Senator Orrin Hatch met them with Josh’s parents, Jason and Laurie, at the tarmac when they landed. They then headed over to the White House where President Trump personally welcomed them home.
The office of Sen. Orrin Hatch tweeted video of the senator greeting the parents of Josh Holt before heading over to the airport.
Senator Hatch and Elaine greeting Jason and Laurie Holt before heading to the tarmac to meet Josh and Thamy, who are returning after 2 years of captivity in Venezuela. #utpol #JoshHolt pic.twitter.com/jdKY9RqyVm
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) May 26, 2018
Look at those smiles! Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Sen. Orrin Hatch, Matt Whitlock, tweeted this image of Josh’s parents, Jason and Laurie, heading to the airport to see their son for the first time in two years.
With Jason and Laurie Holt on the way to get Josh at the tarmac! #utpol pic.twitter.com/vwqsPO2LAg
— Matt Whitlock 🇺🇸 (@mattdizwhitlock) May 26, 2018
Rep. Mia Love tweets that Josh Holt has landed.
Josh Holt is on American soil again! His flight just landed in DC. Looking forward to seeing him! #utpol #justiceforjosh
— Rep. Mia Love (@RepMiaLove) May 26, 2018
The Justice for Josh Facebook page posted this thank you message shortly after Holt landed.
And the moment we have all been waiting for- Josh Holt has been reunited with his family. Sen. Hatch posted this sweet video.
Reunited. pic.twitter.com/Lb43PfEVXQ
— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) May 26, 2018
Deputy Chief of Staff and Communications Director for Sen. Orrin Hatch, Matt Whitlock, tweeted this image following the press conference President Donald Trump held in the Oval Office. The photo includes Sen. Orrin Hatch and Josh Holt, Josh’s mom Laurie, and Matt Whitlock.
Incredibly thankful. pic.twitter.com/yxIn1L2vN9
— Matt Whitlock 🇺🇸 (@mattdizwhitlock) May 27, 2018
President Trump tweeted a montage of Josh Holt’s moments at the White House.
WELCOME HOME JOSH! pic.twitter.com/2X0cKE4stx
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2018
Laurie Holt, Josh’s mother, sent Ashley Kewish this cool angle from the motorcade that was escorting them to the White House to meet President Trump.
Josh Holt was taken captive in in June 2016 after he went to Venezuela to marry his wife.
Venezuelan authorities accused Holt of hiding an AK-47 assault rifle and a grenade in his wife’s family’s home. Holt has denied this allegation.
