At Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, former President Donald Trump paid tribute to fallen U.S. service members, calling them “great, great warriors” and “America’s best and bravest.” Standing before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Trump placed a ceremonial wreath, paused in silence, and offered a salute during the playing of Taps. He was joined by Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the solemn occasion.
During his remarks, Trump praised the legacy of those who died in service, saying, “We just revere their incredible legacy. We salute them in their eternal and everlasting glory.” He continued by connecting their sacrifice to his broader political vision, stating, “We continue our relentless pursuit of America’s destiny as we make our nation stronger, prouder, freer, and greater than ever before.”
While much of his speech remained focused on honoring the fallen, Trump briefly touched on his political agenda, referencing a nation “that I am fixing after a long and hard four years.” He added that Memorial Day was not the appropriate time to discuss those fixes in detail.
Earlier in the day, Trump struck a markedly different tone online. In a series of all-caps social media posts, he launched attacks on President Joe Biden, labeling him “scum” and blaming him for weakening the country through what he described as “radical leftism” and border failures. Trump also criticized federal judges who have blocked his immigration policies, referring to them as “monsters who want our country to go to hell.”
Adding to the controversy, Trump wished the public a “HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!” — a message considered inappropriate by many, as Memorial Day is a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering those who died in military service.