Trump is renaming Veterans Day to honor World War I soldiers - but nobody knows why
IndependentMAY 3
White House Backtracks on Trump's Veterans Day Renaming Plan
Above: Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House on April 29, 2025. Image copyright: Win McNamee/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump's plan to rename May 8 and Veterans Day is historically illiterate and grossly offensive. Renaming Veterans Day to "Victory Day for World War I" would disregard the sacrifices of countless U.S. veterans of other wars, while making May 8 "Victory Day for World War II" would be factually flawed. Despite the administration's frantic backtracking, this episode reveals what Trump thinks of American traditions and customs.
Pro-Trump narrative
The media narrative surrounding Trump's announcement is overblown in the extreme. Rather than renaming any federal holidays, the president referred to additional proclamations that would be made on May 8 and Nov. 11 to celebrate America's military triumphs in World War I and II. America will continue to honor all its veterans through Veterans Day under the Trump administration.