Trump Silent on Juneteenth Amid Past Acknowledgments and Criticism

Trump’s Juneteenth Silence: A Shift from Previous Celebrations

In recent years, Juneteenth has gained recognition as a pivotal day in American history, marking the end of slavery. This year, however, President Donald Trump’s silence on the occasion stands in stark contrast to his previous acknowledgments, raising questions about the change in his stance.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP

Despite celebrating Juneteenth in each of his first four years in office, Trump remained silent on the holiday this year. This silence comes after his previous claim of making the day “very famous.” Inquiries about his plans for the day were met with vague responses from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who mentioned no signature on a Juneteenth proclamation.

While Trump refrained from public events on Juneteenth, he voiced opinions on various topics on his social media, including critiques of “non-working holidays.” His absence of remarks on Juneteenth contrasts sharply with his earlier annual statements, which had acknowledged the historical significance of the day and the contributions of African Americans.

In previous years, Trump highlighted the “soulful festivities” and the end of slavery as a pivotal moment for Black Americans. His commemoration efforts included recounting the Galveston story, where Union soldiers announced freedom to enslaved people on June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

In 2020, Trump’s attempt to hold a campaign rally in Tulsa on June 19 faced backlash due to the historical significance of both Juneteenth and the Tulsa Race Massacre. Following criticism, he postponed the event and claimed, “I did something good. I made it famous. I made Juneteenth very famous.”

After losing the 2020 election, Trump’s successor, President Joe Biden, signed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021. Biden’s administration has since embraced the holiday with annual proclamations and celebrations, contrasting sharply with Trump’s recent silence.

This year, Biden celebrated Juneteenth in Galveston, Texas, at a historic African Methodist Episcopal church, continuing his tradition of honoring the day with public events.