Juneteenth Celebrations Highlight Trump's Silence on Holiday Acknowledgment
As Juneteenth is celebrated nationwide, Trump remains silent, contrasting his previous acknowledgment of the holiday during his presidency.
Biden takes swipes at Trump in Juneteenth speech - Washington Examiner
Washington Examiner
Celebrating Juneteenth in Boston: Photos
Boston Herald
Trump On Juneteenth: There Are Too Many Holidays!
The Daily Wire
The Hollowness of This Juneteenth
The Atlantic
Why the Juneteenth Federal Holiday Survived Trump’s War on DEI
New York Magazine
Juneteenth: ‘The Day of Freedom Came’
The Bulwark
Willie Wilson: The unfinished business of Juneteenth
Chicago Tribune
Overview
- Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and became a federal holiday in 2021 under President Biden.
- While Biden celebrated Juneteenth in Texas, Trump has not acknowledged the holiday this year, remaining silent despite its significance.
- Nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C. recognize Juneteenth as a permanent holiday, but New Hampshire lacks such legislation.
- Trump has previously criticized non-working holidays, citing their cost to businesses, and has faced backlash for his silence on Juneteenth.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt did not confirm if Trump would commemorate Juneteenth, highlighting a shift from his earlier acknowledgment of the holiday.
Content generated by AI—learn more or report issue.
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the narrative around Juneteenth by contrasting President Biden's celebratory approach with Trump's dismissive remarks about the holiday. Implicit biases emerge, highlighting Biden's engagement with Black communities versus Trump's perceived indifference, suggesting a broader critique of his historical acknowledgment of racial issues. The tone reflects a defense of Juneteenth's significance.
"Trump has railed against the number of paid holidays for federal workers in the past, while also proclaiming new holidays."
"Trump’s quiet on the issue also deviated from White House guidance that Trump planned to sign a Juneteenth proclamation."
Fortune"On this year's Juneteenth holiday on Thursday, the usually talkative president kept silent about a day important to Black Americans for marking the end of slavery in the country he leads again."
"Biden criticized "ongoing efforts to erase history" during a Juneteenth Celebration Service at a historic African Methodist Episcopal Church in Galveston, Texas."
"Trump's comments about non-working holidays contrasted sharply with Biden's celebration of Juneteenth, highlighting differing perspectives on the significance of the day."
"President Trump appeared to mark Juneteenth on Thursday with a Truth Social post arguing the United States has "too many non-working holidays.""
"President Donald Trump appeared to criticize Juneteenth celebrations in a post on social media, saying there are "too many non-working holidays in America.""
"As Americans celebrated Juneteenth on Thursday, Donald Trump complained that there are too many federal holidays."
"The Republican president's silence was a sharp contrast from his prior acknowledgement of the holiday."
"The museum’s annual barbecue, running from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. across DuSable’s campus, was one of several events held in Chicago on Thursday to commemorate Juneteenth."
"This year's celebrations took place across the country, with the lessons of history as important as ever."
"The Republican president’s silence was a sharp contrast from his prior acknowledgement of the holiday."
Associated Press"Still, she hopes New Hampshire’s events and those elsewhere will make a difference."
Chicago Tribune"Today, is Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery - the greatest triumph of freedom in American history."
"Juneteenth and Independence Day honor the struggle of an imperfect people on an imperfect path to freedom and equality."
"Communities have paid homage to that date for well over a century, with the earliest documented Juneteenth celebrations dating back to the first anniversary of emancipation in Galveston, Texas, where the news of independence first reached the state a year prior."
"The wild rejoicing on the part of the emancipated coloured people lasted but for a brief period, for I noticed that by the time they returned to their cabins there was a change in their feelings."
The Bulwark"In communities across the United States, efforts are underway to keep telling those stories for generations to come."
"This country has come a long way since 1865. If we are to become that “more perfect union,” much work remains to achieve equality for all Americans."
Chicago Tribune"Most retailers will be open on Juneteenth."
"Many private businesses, however, still don’t observe it as a holiday, but a growing number, including Zillow, Nike and Lyft, now give workers the day off."
Fortune"Black economic power is real."
"The author argues that some Americans, particularly those who oppose civil rights and diversity, don't deserve to celebrate Juneteenth."
"Despite facing challenges, organizers are determined to celebrate Juneteenth and adapt their events to ensure safety and community engagement."
"Still, she hopes New Hampshire's events and others elsewhere will make a difference."
"Still, she hopes New Hampshire’s events and others elsewhere will make a difference."
Associated Press"Juneteenth has been commemorated as a federally-recognized holiday since 2021, providing millions of Americans with a paid day off and the opportunity to commemorate the end of slavery."
"Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom and opportunity, allowing people to gather, dance, reenact pivotal moments in history, and more."
Articles (53)
FAQ
Donald Trump remained silent on Juneteenth this year despite previously acknowledging the holiday during his presidency and issuing statements on its anniversary for three years before it became a federal holiday. His White House press secretary did not confirm if he would commemorate Juneteenth, indicating a shift from his earlier acknowledgments. Additionally, Trump has criticized non-working holidays, citing their cost to businesses, which may explain his silence this year.
Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, marking the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom. It became a federal holiday in 2021 under President Biden, symbolizing an important milestone in the nation's journey towards equality and freedom.
Nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C., recognize Juneteenth as a permanent holiday. However, some states like New Hampshire have not passed legislation to recognize Juneteenth as a permanent holiday, indicating varied state-level acknowledgment of the day.
Donald Trump has faced backlash for his silence on Juneteenth in recent years and for downplaying the holiday's significance. He has previously criticized non-working holidays, including Juneteenth, for their perceived cost to businesses. Additionally, he has been criticized for attempting to claim credit for making Juneteenth 'famous,' overlooking the long history of the holiday's celebration within Black communities.
During his presidency, Donald Trump issued statements on Juneteenth annually for three years before it became a federal holiday, acknowledging its significance as a commemoration of emancipation and freedom. In 2020, he released a presidential message recognizing the holiday and expressing commitment to America's ideals of equality and liberty.
History
- 1M
18 articles
- 1M
7 articles
- 1M7 articles
- 1M11 articles
- 1M
3 articles