On November 11, 2025, Veterans Day in the United States took on an unprecedented level of spectacle and controversy, as President Donald Trump’s actions and words drew both fervent support and fierce backlash across the country. The day, typically reserved for solemn remembrance of military service, was marked by a series of bold moves and public appearances that quickly became the focus of national debate about patriotism, political theater, and the future of veterans’ affairs.
President Trump’s presence was felt in multiple arenas throughout the day. At Arlington National Cemetery, he delivered a speech that stunned many by proclaiming, “Today is not only Veterans Day, but it’s my proclamation that we are now going to be saying and calling [it] Victory Day for World War I.” According to IBTimes, Trump cited France’s tradition of celebrating Victory Day as inspiration, suggesting that America should similarly recognize its triumph in World War I. He elaborated, “I saw France was celebrating ‘Victory Day’, but we didn’t. And I saw France was celebrating another ‘victory day’ for World War II.”
This unexpected rebranding of Veterans Day as “Victory Day for World War I” immediately sparked a digital firestorm. Veterans’ organizations like the American Legion, as reported by The New York Times, condemned the move, arguing it risked sidelining the inclusive spirit of Armistice Day and politicizing a holiday meant to honor all who served. Online, hashtags such as #VictoryDayRename and #VeteransBacklashTrump trended, with critics accusing Trump of turning a day of reflection into one of division. “Trump’s words at Arlington ring out over graves of heroes he once called losers, a gut punch to every vet,” one widely shared social media post declared, reflecting the anger of many veterans and their families.
Yet, Trump’s supporters saw things differently. Many hailed the proclamation as long overdue recognition for World War I veterans and praised Trump’s willingness to challenge what they perceive as excessive political correctness. The Arlington ceremony itself was charged with symbolism: Trump, accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, introduced Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as “Secretary of War,” explaining, “That’s why we have officially renamed the Department of Defense back to the original name, Department of War.” This move, intended to evoke pre-1947 American resolve, thrilled some but left others questioning its relevance in today’s world.
Throughout the ceremony, Trump repeatedly praised his administration’s record on veterans’ issues. “We have a 92 percent approval rating. We took that up from 38 percent from a certain previous administration,” he claimed, referencing Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins. However, Military Times fact-checked this assertion, noting that VA trust had hovered between 78 and 81 percent under President Biden, with outpatient satisfaction reaching 92.8 percent by August 2025—nowhere near the 38 percent figure Trump cited. Despite such discrepancies, Trump’s rhetoric resonated with many in attendance, who applauded his focus on military pride and reform.
The day’s events extended far beyond Arlington. In a move that blended politics, sports, and entertainment, Trump made an unexpected 20-minute call-in to The Pat McAfee Show, which was broadcasting live from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in South Carolina. The show—known for its high-energy, irreverent style—became a national talking point as Trump discussed everything from his high approval rating among veterans to his opinions on NFL rules and even the Washington Commanders’ name change.
During the call, Trump reiterated, “They’ve been fantastic. They’re incredible people. They also voted for me about 92% or something. So we have to remember that it’s always nice when you have that—they’re spectacular people.” When asked what Veterans Day meant to him, Trump responded, “Well to me, it means taking care of the veterans because they’ve taken care of us. And you know, we have a 92% rating at the VA.” He also praised VA Secretary Doug Collins and highlighted his administration’s reforms, including the 2017 Veterans Choice Program Extension and Improvement Act, which allowed veterans more freedom to see civilian doctors. “We’ve done a really good job,” Trump said. “Doug Collins is the secretary and we have a tremendous approval rating.”
Trump didn’t shy away from criticizing his predecessors. He alleged that under the Biden administration, the VA was plagued by “sadists” and “horrible” people who didn’t care about veterans. “We had sadists in there,” he said. “We had people that were just horrible. You couldn’t do anything about it. I got rid of that. We ended up putting in 9,000 people who love our Vets.”
McAfee, a former NFL punter turned ESPN host, faced immediate scrutiny for giving Trump a platform on such a symbolic day. Addressing critics, McAfee stated, “That’s the President of the United States. It’s Veterans Day. He’s the Commander-in-Chief. Obviously, if we’re going to have the opportunity to talk to him, we’re going to.” McAfee also revealed he had reached out to former President Barack Obama to appear, but scheduling conflicts prevented it. He emphasized that the interview was about honoring veterans, not politics, and described Trump as “hilarious” and a “legit sports fan.”
Meanwhile, the Trump administration used the day to tout a series of policy victories and new initiatives. In a White House statement, Trump highlighted signing an executive order in May 2025 to build the National Center for Warrior Independence, which aims to house up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028. He also pointed to the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which made the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent and ended taxes on Social Security for most seniors, easing financial burdens for veterans on fixed incomes. Sixteen new veteran clinics have opened across the country, and the backlog of veterans waiting for VA benefits has been cut by more than 37 percent in 2025, after rising 24 percent during the previous administration, according to the administration’s claims.
Further reforms included the July 2025 VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, allowing the VA to intervene for veterans facing foreclosure and providing $146 million more to programs for homeless veterans. Secretary Doug Collins, in an opinion piece for DCJournal, praised the elimination of “wasteful spending on DEI initiatives,” freeing up $14 million for core VA missions, and the phasing out of gender dysphoria treatments. The VA’s electronic health record modernization program is also being expanded, aiming for full deployment by 2031.
Yet, not everyone was convinced. Critics, including some veterans and online commentators, accused Trump of using the day for self-promotion and divisive politics. Social media was awash with posts questioning his motives and record, with one user writing, “Why is this POS at Arlington? He spat on veterans by calling them ‘suckers’ and ‘losers’. He should be chased out, scarf and gloves too.” Others, however, praised his tribute to the “muscle, spine, and steel” of the U.S. military.
As the dust settles on Veterans Day 2025, one thing is clear: the intersection of military service, memory, and politics remains a battleground in America’s ongoing culture wars. For better or worse, President Trump’s actions ensured that the day—and the veterans it honors—remained at the center of national attention.
