President Donald Trump announced Thursday his plan to rename Veterans Day, observed on Nov. 11, as “Victory Day for World War I,” and May 8, commonly recognized as V-E Day, as “Victory Day for World War II." He said the move is meant to enable the United States to honor its accomplishments in those wars.
"Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II. I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I," he wrote in a late night post on his Truth Social platform.
"We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything — That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again," the president added.
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Victory Day is celebrated annually on May 9 in Russia, and it commemorates the Soviet Union’s triumph over Nazi Germany in World War II. The national holiday pays tribute to the sacrifices made by Soviet soldiers and civilians during what Joseph Stalin called the "Great Patriotic War."
Trump's announcement elicited a strong reaction on social media, with political commentators and journalists expressing surprise that the president has chosen to follow Russian practices.
Political commentator and The Atlantic writer David Frum wrote: "Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945. For Americans, the Second World War would rage for three more months, until VJ Day in August. But for Russians and those influenced by them, 'Victory Day' falls in May. Trump follows the Russian practice, not the American."
Russian author Nina Byzantina said: "Russia’s Victory Day celebrates the Soviet victory in WWII, in which the Red Army was responsible for approximately 75% of Nazi German losses. As they say, imitation is the best form of flattery!"
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Academic Roman Sheremeta said: "Now, by Trump’s own logic, Russia didn’t defeat Hitler — the U.S. did. And once again, I will say: no, the U.S. did not defeat Hitler. It was a collective victory achieved by the Allied nations."
Academic Dr. Ian Garner wrote: "When you're so desperate to be Putin you create Victory Day."
User Ryan Shead wrote: "Five-time draft dodging coward who refused to attend our fallen soldiers dignified transfers, Donald Trump, has announced he would rename Veterans Day as 'Victory Day for World War I' in an attempt celebrate U.S. military victories. Why does Trump have to mess with everything?"
The account @SprinterObserver wrote: "'We did more than any other country!' Trump decides to rewrite history and declares May 8th as Victory in World War II Day."
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