USA – US President, Donald Trump has declared May 8 as US Victory Day holiday to honor United State’s role in second World War, adding that the US “did more than any other country.”
“Many of our allies and friends already celebrate on May 8,” he added. “We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”
Trump also declared that Nov. 11 will be recognized as first World War “Victory Day,” a move that places added emphasis on the centennial sacrifices made during that conflict.
The date already coincides with Veterans Day in the US, originally known as Armistice Day.
“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” Trump stated. “That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so!”
Though the US does not currently hold a national holiday specifically commemorating its WWII victory, remembrance ceremonies occur regularly throughout May, August, and September.
Trump’s announcement stands in stark contrast to several incidents reported by multiple aides to the president. In perhaps the best-known incident, in 2018, while visiting France during his first term, Trump refused to attend a memorial for fallen World War I soldiers, calling them “suckers” and “losers,” an incident confirmed by John Kelly, his then-chief of staff. Trump has denied the reports.
In 2015, on the campaign trail, Trump publicly said of Senator and decorated soldier John McCain, who fought in the Vietnam War and was held prisoner for five-and-a-half years: “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”
Trump himself was exempted from the Vietnam War draft due to a reported bone spur, a projection in his foot.