Donald Trump recently made a strong and controversial statement about the role of the United States in the two World Wars. He claimed that America did more than any other country to win both World War I and World War II. According to him, the United States showed unmatched bravery, power, and military skill, yet it doesn’t receive the credit it deserves. He expressed frustration that these victories are not celebrated enough and blamed what he called weak leadership for that. Trump announced that he wants to rename May 8 as “Victory Day” for World War II and keep November 11, already known as Veterans Day in the U.S., as “Victory Day” for World War I.
This statement could upset many people, especially in other countries that also fought hard and lost millions of lives in the wars. When Trump says America did more than anyone else, it can sound like he is ignoring or disrespecting the efforts and sacrifices made by other nations. His words might be particularly hurtful to veterans and families in Europe, where the war was fought on their own soil and where millions of soldiers and civilians died. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about the shared struggle that brought countries together to fight against powerful enemies.
For example, Russia lost more than 9 million soldiers during World War II. That’s an incredibly high number compared to the 416,800 American soldiers and 383,700 British soldiers who died. The Russian people still remember this deeply, and they celebrate Victory Day every year on May 9 to honor the defeat of Nazi Germany. The Nazi surrender was signed just after midnight, which is why their celebration is a day later than the rest of Europe’s.
Trump’s post didn’t mention these other sacrifices. Instead, it focused only on American achievements. While many Americans are proud of what their country did in the wars, claiming that no one else came close could come across as disrespectful and inaccurate. World War II especially was a global effort, with soldiers from many nations—including Canada, Australia, France, Poland, and others—fighting together to stop Hitler and the Nazi regime.
Veterans Day in the United States has a long history. It began as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I and to honor those who served in that war. In the 1950s, the holiday was changed to honor all American veterans, not just those from World War I. It became a federal holiday in 1968 and has been used ever since to recognize everyone who has served in the U.S. military, no matter the conflict. It’s meant to bring people together in gratitude, not to compare sacrifices with other countries.
Trump’s desire to rebrand these holidays and his claims about America doing the most in both world wars are likely to spark strong opinions. While patriotism is important, many believe it’s also important to remember and respect the shared efforts of all countries involved in the wars. The fight against tyranny wasn’t won by one nation alone—it was a joint effort that cost millions of lives around the world. Ignoring that history could damage relationships and create division instead of unity.
