Donald Trump Complains About ‘Non-Working Holidays’ On Juneteenth
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On Juneteenth, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social about “non-working holidays,” saying that the United States observes “too many” holidays that are “costing our country.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email on Thursday evening.
Why It Matters
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, when then-President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation into law officially designating it as a federal holiday.
The Black community has celebrated Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans, for over 150 years and it has been a recognized holiday in Texas for decades.
US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as workers install a large flag pole on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on June 18, 2025. US President Donald Trump speaks to the press as workers install a large flag pole on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on June 18, 2025. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
What To Know
“Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed,” Trump wrote in a post that went up just after 7 p.m. ET on Thursday evening.
“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!” Trump added.
In 2024, Biden and Trump issued statements on Juneteenth, in which Trump shared a message from his campaign’s director of Black media, Janiyah Thomas, who said: “‘All slaves are free!’ This was the cry that rang out on June 19th, 1865.”
“The principle of freedom has always been at the foundation of the Republican party. Today, we reflect on how far we [have] come as a nation and remember that light will always triumph over darkness,” Thomas said. “With President Trump’s leadership, our party will continue to advance the American dream for all people.”
However, Trump had not issued his own statement on the holiday—a holiday that he had honored during his first term, according to The Associated Press. Trump also campaigned in 2020 on making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
Earlier in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: “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.”
Leavitt replied that she had already answered the question when pressed as to whether the president might recognize the holiday in a different way or on another day.
What Happens Next
Trump may still issue a statement or proclamation, or share a statement from an ally, as he did last year.
Update 6/19/25, 8:56 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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