President Trump issued a stark warning to American workers during Juneteenth celebrations, claiming that federal holidays are costing the nation billions of dollars in lost productivity. The president's comments came as millions across the country commemorated the emancipation of enslaved people.
According to the Daily Mail, Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday night to express his concerns about what he perceives as too many non-working holidays. His post notably lacked any specific reference to Juneteenth itself, despite his previous history of acknowledging the significance of the day.
The president's message was clear and direct: "Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don't want it either!" He went on to suggest that if the trend continues, "Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year."
This year's comments mark a significant departure from Trump's previous approach to Juneteenth. During his first term in office, he regularly issued statements commemorating the holiday and its historical significance for Black Americans.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the absence of any official presidential proclamation for Juneteenth this year. When questioned by reporters, she simply stated, "I'm not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work."
The president's critique of federal holidays came on the same day businesses nationwide closed to observe Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021. While Trump claims workers don't want these holidays, many Americans embrace the opportunity to commemorate significant historical events like the emancipation of enslaved people.
In previous years, Trump consistently recognized Juneteenth with formal statements that acknowledged its importance in American history. His proclamations often highlighted the contributions of African Americans to the nation.
His 2018 statement declared, "Together, we honor the unbreakable spirit and countless contributions of generations of African Americans to the story of American greatness." The following year, he noted that "Across our country, the contributions of African Americans continue to enrich every facet of American life."
In 2020, Trump's Juneteenth message took on a more reflective tone: "June reminds us of both the unimaginable injustice of slavery and the incomparable joy that must have attended emancipation. It is both a remembrance of a blight on our history and a celebration of our Nation's unsurpassed ability to triumph over darkness."
Trump once claimed personal credit for making Juneteenth "very famous" following controversy over his 2020 campaign rally scheduled in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the holiday. The location choice sparked significant backlash given Tulsa's history of racial violence.
In 1921, Tulsa's Greenwood district, known as "Black Wall Street," was devastated by white mobs. Approximately 300 Black residents were killed, and thousands were temporarily placed in internment camps overseen by the National Guard, making Trump's initial decision to hold a rally there on Juneteenth particularly controversial.
After facing criticism, Trump rescheduled the rally and attempted to frame the situation positively, saying, "I did something good. I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous. It's actually an important event, it's an important time. But nobody had heard of it. Very few people have heard of it."
President Trump's latest comments about federal holidays appear focused primarily on economic considerations rather than historical or cultural significance. His claim that these observances cost the country "billions of dollars" comes without specific data to support the assertion.
The United States currently recognizes 11 federal holidays, including New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Trump has recently acknowledged other observances like Father's Day and Flag Day, though these are not federal holidays.
Trump has also taken significant steps to roll back diversity initiatives across the federal government, issuing sweeping orders to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which he has characterized as "illegal and immoral discrimination programs."
