Washington, D.C. — The White House moved swiftly to clarify President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to rename Veterans Day, retracting the suggestion just one day after it was shared on social media. In a post on Truth Social, Trump had declared that May 8 would be designated as Victory Day for World War II and November 11 would also commemorate World War I.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the proposal in a statement Friday, affirming, “We are not renaming Veterans Day.” She indicated that the president’s intention was to issue an additional proclamation for that date rather than alter the established holiday. Veterans Day, which has honored military service since 1918, commemorates the armistice that ended World War I and has been recognized under its current name since 1954.
The proposal raised questions regarding what an “additional proclamation” might involve and how it aligns with the historic importance of Veterans Day. The holiday was renamed following advocacy from veterans’ organizations and approved by President Dwight D. Eisenhower after the Korean War, indicating that legislative action would be required for any future changes to the name.
Trump’s initial announcement suggested a connection between the proposed renaming and the celebration of May 8 as Victory Day, a designation primarily recognized in Europe to mark the 1945 victory over Nazi Germany. Critics pointed out that this overlooks the broader context of World War II, which continued until the surrender of Japan later that year. This misleading portrayal drew sharp rebukes from commentators, including MSNBC host Keith Olbermann, who criticized the president harshly.
Veterans advocacy groups expressed strong opposition to the notion of renaming Veterans Day, noting that such a focus on the World Wars would marginalize those who served in more recent conflicts. “Veterans Day should honor all Americans who have served, regardless of the outcome of their engagements,” said Allison Jaslow, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “It’s important to remember that service and sacrifice are vital, regardless of the label we assign our military actions.”
The demographics of contemporary veterans underline the importance of inclusivity in recognizing military service. According to 2023 census data, over 99 percent of the 15.8 million living American veterans served in conflicts post-World War II. This number notably includes Vice President J.D. Vance, a veteran of the Iraq War, while former President Trump himself did not serve, having avoided the Vietnam draft due to purported health issues.
In concluding his controversial post, Trump emphasized a desire for greater recognition of military achievements. He lamented, “We never celebrate our victories,” citing a perceived lack of leadership. However, with the White House firmly ruling out a name change for Veterans Day, this potential “victory” appears to be off the table for now, leaving many to question what the future holds for the observance of military service in America.