President Donald Trump stirred controversy on Juneteenth after posting on Truth Social criticizing “non-working holidays” for harming the U.S. economy.
“Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don’t want it either! Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year,” Trump wrote. “It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Juneteenth marks the end of slavery in the U.S., honoring June 19, 1865, when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, to free enslaved people. It became a federal holiday in 2021 under President Biden.
At Thursday’s White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump would not be issuing a proclamation and added, “We’re working 24/7 right now.”
Trump’s remarks quickly drew backlash across social media. Civil rights leaders and Democratic lawmakers condemned the post as “tone-deaf” and “disrespectful to Black history.” NAACP President Derrick Johnson called it “a deliberate erasure of a vital part of American history.”
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) tweeted, “Juneteenth isn’t a burden—it’s a reminder of freedom hard-fought. Trump’s comments are cruel and calculated.”
Meanwhile, Trump supporters defended the post, saying his focus on economic impact was valid. “We need productivity, not paid time off,” one user replied on X.
Why didn’t he tweet this on Columbus Day? pic.twitter.com/PHdhO2mFpe
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 19, 2025
Laziest man in the world wants you to work harder. pic.twitter.com/mzIwkFX91M
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) June 19, 2025
You lazy fucks aren’t working enough. pic.twitter.com/h7yxI3vrRO
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 19, 2025
First it was our kids had to many toys, now we have to many holidays. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/4niJ9zLCc2
— Lev Parnas (@levparnas) June 19, 2025
Trump just said on Truth Social that there are too many “non-working holidays in America.” Not only is he trying to make you work MORE but also he’s taking an apparent dig at Juneteenth.
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) June 19, 2025
This is coming from the same guy who golfs every weekend. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/pqV318etyN
Trump, who previously claimed he made Juneteenth “very famous,” has made eliminating DEI programs and slashing federal holidays part of his broader campaign to reshape the federal workforce and culture.
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