President Donald Trump’s complaint on Juneteenth that there are “too many non-working holidays in America” has sparked a surprising response on his social media platform.
Trump said it was costing the country “$BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed” on federal holidays in a post on Truth Social on Thursday.
He said it was something workers “don’t want” and that “soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year.”
But while Truth Social has many Trump-supporting subscribers, his post received a largely negative response. “You lost me here, Americans are already overworked and in many cases underpaid,” one user replied to Trump.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email outside of regular working hours.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Why It Matters
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved Black people in Galveston, Texas — more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation during the Civil War.
Black Americans celebrated the day long before it became a federal holiday in 2021, when it was signed into law by former president Joe Biden.
Trump honored Juneteenth in each of his first four years as president, and sought to win over Black voters in 2020 with promises including establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. But he remained silent about Juneteenth this year.
What To Know
Trump’s post on Thursday prompted more than 3,000 replies from Truth Social users, many of whom disagreed with Trump, saying that the country needs more federal holidays.
“Nope. Disagree with you on this. If there’s too many holidays for anyone, it’s the politicians. Congress works like 12 weeks a year,” one person wrote.
Another person said: “I voted for you, but this comment is ridiculous.
“I know you don’t care if people like you, but if you want to be popular, you must acknowledge this date. There is historical and cultural significance to this date. Your lack of compassion is alarming.”
What People Are Saying
Trump wrote on Truth Social:”It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don’t want it either! Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Asked whether Trump would commemorate Juneteenth, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday: “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. We are certainly here. We’re working 24/7 right now.”
Democratic strategist Matt McDermott wrote on X, formerly Twitter:”There are too many holidays, Trump whines — after literally campaigning on making Juneteenth a federal holiday to pander to Black voters. No principles. No shame. Just the con.”
Former president Joe Biden wrote on X:”One of the proudest moments of my presidency was making Juneteenth a federal holiday. It’s a day of liberation. It’s a day of remembrance. And it’s a day of celebration. Today, it was an honor to be in Galveston where freedom rang out 160 years ago.”
What Happens Next
Trump has not said that he wants to cancel Juneteenth as a federal holiday, but if he did he would not be able to do so unilaterally. The only way to cancel a federal holiday would be for Congress to pass a bill, which the president could then sign into law.
