On May 8, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the creation of two new national holidays to commemorate the end of World War I and World War II. In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared that May 8 would be recognized as Victory Day for World War II, while November 11 would be designated Victory Day for World War I.
Trump emphasized that the United States played a decisive role in securing victory in both wars, stating, “All over the World, the Allies are celebrating the Victory we had in World War II. The only Country that doesn’t celebrate is the United States of America, and the Victory was only accomplished because of us.” However, despite the announcement, May 8 will not be a federal holiday, meaning government offices, banks, and businesses will remain open. Trump clarified that the country would not shut down for these holidays, citing concerns about having “too many holidays in America.”
In a separate development, Trump sparked confusion during a White House press conference when he mistakenly referred to Mattel, the toy company, as a country. While discussing tariffs, he stated that Mattel was “the only country I’ve heard that said, ‘Well, we’re going to go counter.'” He later corrected himself, acknowledging that Mattel was a company but insisted that its CEO would face 100% tariffs on toys if manufacturing did not return to the U.S.
May 8, 2025, underscored the complexities of Trump’s leadership, blending symbolic gestures with economic policy debates. It highlighted the administration’s ongoing efforts to shape national identity while navigating trade tensions and public scrutiny.