 at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day.){kind=link}
President Donald Trump paid tribute to fallen Troops (service members) at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, hours after posting a contentious message on Truth Social. In the post, Trump referred to his political opponents and perceived enemies as “scum,” criticizing members of the federal judiciary as “USA hating” and “monsters,” and his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, as “incompetent”.
Trump’s message also sparked criticism for its tone, which some deemed insensitive given the solemn nature of Memorial Day. In the United States, Memorial Day honors those who died while serving in the armed forces, and it’s largely considered taboo to wish someone a “Happy Memorial Day”. Trump wrote: “Happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds”.
During his visit to Arlington National Cemetery, Trump aimed to honor the sacrifices of America’s armed services. However, his actions have been met with backlash in the past. In August 2024, the US Army issued a rare rebuke after Trump’s campaign recorded a video while visiting the Arlington National Cemetery gravesites of some service members killed during the US’ chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s visit stems from his tendency to insert political messages into traditionally apolitical occasions and settings. At a commencement address at the US Military Academy at West Point two days prior, Trump combined traditional advice to graduates with partisan themes, touting his election victory and criticizing his predecessors for entering what he deemed to be wars of choice.
Trump emphasized the military’s role, stating: “The job of the US armed forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures (and) spread democracy to everybody around the world at the point of a gun. The military’s job is to dominate any foe and annihilate any threat to America, anywhere, anytime and any place”.
Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery has sparked debate, with some critics accusing him of politicizing the deaths of service members. Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement, accusing Trump of politicizing deaths and the cemetery.