Trump's Changed Approach to Juneteenth
This year, Donald Trump’s public calendar was conspicuously empty when it came to Juneteenth. After years of issuing statements as president that honored the emancipation of enslaved people and highlighted African Americans’ roles in U.S. history, his 2025 silence came as a surprise to many who follow political traditions closely. Even though the White House reportedly had a Juneteenth proclamation in the works, Trump neither signed it nor held any ceremonies. Instead, he spent his day online talking about Iran, the TikTok saga, and a scathing critique of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.
During his first term, Trump positioned himself as a president who publicly acknowledged Juneteenth with annual proclamations. His 2020 observance, however, wasn’t without controversy—Trump had scheduled a campaign rally in Tulsa on the holiday, a move that sparked immediate criticism due to the city’s history with the 1921 race massacre. He eventually postponed the rally, but the incident drew attention to how presidents’ choices around Juneteenth are watched and interpreted. So when this year rolled around and Trump said nothing, it made his absence stand out all the more.
Biden, Harris, and Shifting Public Celebrations
As Trump focused elsewhere, President Joe Biden was front and center for Juneteenth. He celebrated the holiday in Galveston, Texas, the birthplace of Juneteenth—the day in 1865 when enslaved people in the state learned of their freedom two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Biden has made a habit of recognizing the holiday with frequent participation: past events have featured big musical acts like Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle and have brought Juneteenth into the heart of the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris kept the festive mood alive too, dancing with gospel singer Kirk Franklin at a recent celebration, underscoring her administration’s investment in the holiday’s visibility and meaning.
Trump’s decision to skip any public recognition raised eyebrows partly because it happened alongside a broader movement in the business world. Major companies that once spotlighted Juneteenth as part of their corporate diversity and inclusion efforts are now scaling back. These corporate shifts have already started to affect how visible and well-funded some Juneteenth programs and public events are, making federal leadership and public recognition even more significant. In a year when public attention on *Trump* remains high and social conversations about race and history haven’t quieted down, his silence sent a message—intended or not—that stands in stark contrast to his previous engagement and to the White House’s current approach.
