At Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, former President Donald Trump led Memorial Day commemorations by honoring fallen U.S. service members, praising them as “great, great warriors” whose sacrifice helped shape the nation. The ceremony, steeped in tradition, included a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and tributes to Gold Star families in the audience.
Trump’s speech included stories of heroism and loss—such as Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, killed in Syria in 2019; Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Elroy Harworth, who died in the Vietnam War; and Army Cpl. Ryan McGhee, who gave his life in Iraq at 21 after enlisting post-9/11.
“We salute them in their eternal and everlasting glory,” Trump said, adding that their valor “gave us the freest, greatest and most noble republic ever to exist.”
Yet, while the Arlington address was largely solemn, Trump’s day began on a sharply political note. In an all-caps social media post, he attacked President Joe Biden and the federal judiciary, labeling some judges “monsters” and accusing Biden of weakening the nation with “radical leftism.” He also controversially wished Americans a “HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY,” a phrase widely viewed as inappropriate due to the day’s somber nature.
Vice President JD Vance, who spoke ahead of Trump, reminded the crowd that Memorial Day is a time of reverence, not celebration. He called on Americans to hold leaders accountable for the decision to send troops into conflict, stressing that a soldier’s life is “the most precious resource.”
Trump also looked ahead to 2026, joking that missing a second term meant he could now lead the country during its 250th birthday—and host global events like the World Cup and the Olympics. “Amazing the way things work out,” he remarked.
Despite the earlier tone online, Trump’s appearance at Arlington largely echoed presidential tradition, offering public recognition of military sacrifice—while still folding in moments of campaign-style rhetoric and political contrast.
