President Donald Trump expressed concerns about the economic impact of national holidays as Americans celebrated Juneteenth. In a social media post, he lamented what he called "too many non-working holidays" and their financial toll on the country.
According to Fox Business, Trump claimed these holidays are "costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed." The president's comments came on June 19, as many Americans observed Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
While Trump didn't specifically mention Juneteenth in his post, the timing led many to interpret his remarks as criticism of the relatively new federal holiday. Juneteenth was designated a federal holiday in 2021 during Joe Biden's presidency.
During his first administration, Trump recognized Juneteenth with formal statements that celebrated its significance to American history. In 2019, he issued a proclamation acknowledging the holiday as "an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental truth that all people are created equal."
His 2019 statement praised the contributions of African Americans, noting they "continue to enrich every facet of American life." Trump's earlier recognition of the holiday stood in contrast to his recent comments questioning the economic value of federal holidays.
The current White House appeared to take a different approach this year. When asked whether Trump would issue a proclamation for Juneteenth, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she wasn't "tracking [Trump's] signature on a proclamation today," while acknowledging the federal holiday status.
Trump's social media post emphasized financial concerns, suggesting that Americans "don't want" additional non-working holidays. He warned that "soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year," concluding with his campaign slogan "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
The president's economic argument comes at a time when many Americans and businesses have embraced Juneteenth as an important cultural commemoration. The holiday marks June 19, 1866, when news of slavery's abolition finally reached Texas, nearly two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
Supporters of the holiday argue that its significance transcends economic considerations. Pastor DeForest Soaries has described Juneteenth as an "extension of the Fourth of July," highlighting how it represents America's capacity to "self-correct, righting the worst wrongs in our society."
The timing of Trump's comments sparked immediate reaction from various political quarters. Critics suggested the president was specifically targeting Juneteenth, while supporters focused on his broader economic argument about federal holidays.
White House operations continued despite the holiday, with Press Secretary Leavitt noting, "I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here, we're working 24/7 right now." Her comments emphasized the administration's focus on maintaining productivity even during federal observances.
Juneteenth has occasionally been caught in political crossfire, but many advocates emphasize its patriotic nature. The holiday represents a fulfillment of America's founding promise that "all men are created equal," marking when those ideals became reality for millions previously enslaved.
