Trump skips Juneteenth remarks, says U.S. has too many holidays

On June 19, the United States observed Juneteenth as a federal holiday for the fourth consecutive year. President Donald Trump, however, did not issue a public statement or official proclamation marking the occasion. Instead, he criticized the growing number of non-working holidays in a post published on his Truth Social account.

In his message, President Trump wrote that non-working holidays cost the U.S. economy “$BILLIONS of dollars” and claimed that “workers don’t want them either.” He added, “Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once-working day of the year,” and called for a revision of the national holiday structure, stating that such a move is necessary to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.”

Although Juneteenth was not mentioned by name, the timing of the post — issued on the morning of the holiday — drew immediate attention. The president’s critics noted that in 2020, he had publicly expressed support for making Juneteenth a national observance and had claimed credit for increasing its visibility.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday was established at the federal level in 2021 and is one of eleven non-working federal holidays recognized across the country.

No official remarks about Juneteenth were released by the White House throughout the day. Vice President J.D. Vance and members of the administration held meetings and internal events, but no federal commemorative activities were announced. Meanwhile, state and local governments across the country held public ceremonies, educational events, and community gatherings in recognition of the date.

President Trump’s post renewed public debate over the value and cost of federal holidays. While supporters of Juneteenth and other observances argue that they serve as essential moments of reflection and education, critics claim they impose unnecessary economic burdens. The president’s remarks suggest that the issue may be addressed more directly in the policy agenda of his current term.

As of Thursday evening, no further statements had been released by the administration concerning either Juneteenth or the broader structure of federal holidays.