In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump used the occasion of Memorial Day to honor America’s fallen soldiers while simultaneously attacking his political adversaries. On the morning of the holiday, just before 7 a.m. ET, Trump described his opponents as “scum” and labeled members of the federal judiciary as “USA-hating monsters.” He also referred to former President Joe Biden as “incompetent.”
In his all-caps post, Trump wished a “Happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds.” He attributed the rise in illegal immigration to the Biden administration, claiming that 21 million people entered the United States illegally during Biden's term. However, this figure is not supported by data from US Customs and Border Protection, as previously reported by CNN.
Trump expressed frustration with what he termed an “incompetent president” and criticized judges whom he accused of protecting “murderers, drug dealers, rapists, gang members, and released prisoners” from deportation. He further asserted that these “USA-hating judges” are driven by a dangerous ideology that threatens the safety and security of the nation.
Memorial Day is a solemn occasion in the United States, dedicated to honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces. Traditionally, it is seen as inappropriate to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day” due to the day’s grave significance. Later on Memorial Day, Trump is expected to observe the holiday in a more conventional manner by visiting Arlington National Cemetery. There, he will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and deliver remarks from the cemetery’s amphitheater.
During his first term, Trump typically adhered to prepared speeches for his Memorial Day addresses. He participated in the Arlington ceremony for the first three years of his presidency before the event was moved to Fort McHenry in Baltimore in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. His recent Memorial Day message followed a politically charged commencement address at the US Military Academy at West Point, where he mixed traditional graduation themes with partisan rhetoric.
In his West Point speech, Trump boasted about his election victory, while also addressing ongoing investigations into his conduct. He was seen wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat as he spoke. Trump proclaimed that the graduating cadets would serve in the “golden age” of the military, criticizing his predecessors for engaging in what he described as unnecessary wars. He emphasized that the military's primary role is to “dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America, anywhere, anytime and any place,” rather than participating in social initiatives.
Trump has faced backlash for interjecting political messages into events traditionally viewed as nonpartisan. In a 2018 Twitter post, he wished Americans a “Happy Memorial Day,” stating that those who died for the country would be proud of its current state, thereby diverting attention from the sacrifices made by military personnel. Furthermore, in August 2024, the US Army issued a rare reprimand after Trump’s campaign filmed a video at Arlington National Cemetery, which violated regulations prohibiting political activities on cemetery grounds. Despite claims from the Trump campaign that they had the permission of accompanying Gold Star families, some imagery depicted graves of service members whose families had not consented.
Additionally, it has been noted that Trump's initial Memorial Day post had minor grammatical errors, leading him to delete and repost the message, emphasizing the controversial nature of his public statements and the scrutiny he faces.
