Trump Declares Veterans Day as ‘Victory Day’
President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that Veterans Day will now also be known as “Victory Day for World War I,” marking a symbolic shift meant to emphasize America’s military triumphs and global leadership in the 20th century.
Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery during a blustery outdoor ceremony, Trump said he was inspired by other nations’ celebrations of wartime victories and wanted the United States to “properly honor the wars we won.”
“Today is not only Veterans Day, but it’s my proclamation that we are now going to be saying and calling [it] Victory Day for World War I,” Trump said, standing before rows of headstones as cold winds swept across the hallowed ground.
Trump cited France’s celebrations of Armistice Day and Russia’s annual Victory Day parade, saying America had been “too modest” about its own military achievements.
“I saw France celebrating Victory Day, and I saw the UK and Russia doing it too. They were all celebrating — and we’re the ones that won the wars,” Trump said to applause from attendees. “From now on, we’re going to say Victory Day for World War I and World War II. And maybe someday, somebody else will add a few more — because we won a lot of good ones.”
Before delivering his remarks, Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, joined by Vice President JD Vance, an Iraq War veteran, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins.
The ceremony took place under harsh weather conditions, with wind gusts around 16 miles per hour and wind chills below freezing. Trump, wearing a scarf and gloves, saluted as the military band played “Taps” in tribute to fallen service members.
“Our heroes have lived through unthinkable nightmares so we could live the American dream — and the American dream is coming back again, stronger than ever before,” Trump said. “You’ll see that as the next few years evolve.”
Trump had first floated the idea of renaming Veterans Day earlier this year, posting on Truth Social in May that he wanted May 8—the anniversary of Germany’s surrender in 1945—to be recognized as “Victory Day for World War II.” While that proclamation did not materialize, his latest remarks suggest a renewed effort to institutionalize “Victory Day” alongside Veterans Day on November 11, the date of the World War I armistice.
The official White House Veterans Day proclamation, released Monday, made no mention of the new title, though Trump’s public statement appears to make the change ceremonial for now.
Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr
