On Thursday, as the nation marked Juneteenth, President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to voice his concerns about the impact of federal holidays on the economy. Juneteenth, which celebrates the freedom of enslaved Black Americans, was made a federal holiday in 2021 by President Joe Biden.
Trump’s Critique of Non-Working Holidays
In his post, President Trump expressed that the U.S. is losing billions of dollars due to the number of non-working holidays and the resultant business closures.
He argued that too many holidays are causing economic harm, stating, “It is costing our country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed.” He further claimed, “The workers don’t want it either.”
Typically, government employees receive a paid day off for federal holidays, while many businesses may close or operate with reduced hours.
Juneteenth and Its Significance
Juneteenth, which marks the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, was made a federal holiday during Biden’s presidency in 2021. The decision was celebrated as a step toward recognizing the historical and cultural significance of the day.
However, Trump voiced his concerns about the addition of more holidays, stating, “Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s Absence from Juneteenth Celebrations
Despite the federal holiday, President Trump did not participate in any Juneteenth events or celebrations this year. In contrast, President Biden hosted a celebratory concert on the South Lawn of the White House, featuring prominent Black performers and invited a variety of elected officials to attend the formal event.
Biden’s Participation in Juneteenth Commemoration
For his part, Trump did take part in a Juneteenth event in Galveston, Texas, where the holiday holds particular historical significance. However, his involvement did not include any events this year marking the day.