WASHINGTON — In a move that stirred mixed emotions, President Donald Trump rechristened Veterans Day as ‘Victory Day for World War I’ during a solemn ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Under chilly, whipping winds, Trump laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and argued that America’s wartime triumphs deserved a standalone celebration, akin to those of France, the UK, and Russia.
“Today is not only Veterans Day,” Trump asserted, “but it’s my proclamation that we are now going to say Victory Day for World War I.” He cited the U.S.’s pivotal role in Germany’s surrender on November 11, 1918, and lamented that, despite winning the wars, America lacked its own Victory Days.
Joined by Vice President JD Vance, an Iraq War veteran, and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins, Trump conveyed a message of resilience. He celebrated Congress’s progress towards resolving the 42-day government shutdown that left federal workers strained and travel tumultuous.
With the symbolic ceremony just a stone’s throw from the imposing Lincoln Memorial, and set against a backdrop of historical and modern challenges, Trump’s announcement resonated with the layers of American identity and pride.
— Reported at Arlington National Cemetery, November 11, 2025.