You’ve probably seen the headlines or the heated social media threads. Every year, around early November, the same question starts bubbling up: did Trump cancel Veterans Day? It’s one of those rumors that feels like it has nine lives. People get fired up because, honestly, the relationship between Donald Trump and the military has always been a lightning rod for controversy. But if you're looking for a simple yes or no, the answer is no—he didn't cancel the holiday. However, like most things in politics, the "why" and the "how" behind the rumor are way more interesting than a simple fact-check.
Basically, this whole thing is a messy cocktail of a canceled parade, a rained-out cemetery visit in France, and some very recent, very loud talk about changing the name of the holiday entirely.
That 2018 Military Parade That Never Was
The biggest "cancellation" tied to Trump and Veterans Day happened back in 2018. If you remember, Trump was really impressed by the Bastille Day parade he saw in France. He wanted something similar for Washington D.C.—tanks in the streets, fighter jets overhead, the whole nine yards. It was supposed to happen on November 10, 2018, right in line with Veterans Day weekend.
So, why didn't it happen? Money.
Initially, the White House thought it would cost maybe $10 million to $30 million. But then the Pentagon and the city of D.C. crunched the numbers. The estimate ballooned to a staggering $92 million. When that number hit the press, it was a PR disaster. Trump ended up calling the whole thing off, blaming local D.C. politicians for "price gouging." He famously tweeted that he’d rather buy more jet fighters with that money.
Because the "Trump Veterans Day Parade" was canceled, people who only read the headlines started sharing posts saying he had canceled Veterans Day itself. It’s a classic case of the internet playing a game of telephone where the details get dropped and only the outrage remains.
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The Cemetery Visit and the "Suckers" Controversy
The second major pillar of this rumor comes from a trip to France, also in 2018. Trump was there for the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. He was scheduled to visit the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery to honor fallen U.S. Marines.
He didn't go.
The official reason from the White House was that "Marine One" (the presidential helicopter) couldn't fly in the rain and low visibility. They also claimed a motorcade would have shut down too much of Paris on short notice. Critics weren't having it. They pointed out that other world leaders, like Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel, managed to get to their memorial events despite the drizzle.
Then came the Atlantic report by Jeffrey Goldberg. It alleged that Trump referred to the fallen soldiers at that cemetery as "losers" and "suckers." Trump and his staff have vehemently denied this for years, calling it a total fabrication. Whether you believe the report or the denial, the optics of skipping a major Veterans Day event in a foreign country fueled the fire. It made people feel like he was "canceling" his participation in the spirit of the holiday, even if the legal holiday stayed on the calendar.
The 2025 "Victory Day" Proposal
Now, let's talk about what's happening right now. In May 2025, during his second term, Trump actually did propose a change that felt, to many, like a cancellation. He announced on Truth Social that he wanted to rename Veterans Day.
His logic? He felt America doesn't celebrate its "wins" enough. He proposed:
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- November 11 should be "Victory Day for World War I."
- May 8 should be "Victory Day for World War II."
This sparked an immediate, massive backlash from groups like the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Their argument was pretty straightforward: Veterans Day isn't just about the World Wars. It’s about everyone—the Korea vets, the Vietnam vets, the people who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. By narrowing the focus to "Victory in WWI," critics argued he was effectively erasing the holiday's purpose for millions of living veterans.
The White House, led by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, had to walk it back almost immediately. They clarified that Veterans Day was staying exactly as it is. Instead, they decided to just issue extra proclamations for the "Victory Days" alongside the existing holiday.
Is Veterans Day Still a Federal Holiday?
Yes. Absolutely.
To actually "cancel" Veterans Day, you’d need an Act of Congress. Under 5 U.S.C. 6103, Veterans Day is a legal public holiday. A President can issue a proclamation (which Trump does every year, often using very patriotic language), but they can't just delete it with a tweet or an executive order.
In November 2025, Trump actually spoke at Arlington National Cemetery. He spent a lot of time praising the "muscle, spine, and steel" of the military. He also used that speech to officially rename the Department of Defense back to the "Department of War," which is another move that has people talking, but it didn't affect the holiday itself.
What You Should Actually Know
If you're worried about the status of the holiday, don't be. It’s not going anywhere. But it’s good to keep a few things in mind when these rumors pop up:
- Check the source: Most of these "canceled" rumors start on highly partisan blogs or from out-of-context clips on TikTok.
- Distinguish between the event and the day: Trump has canceled specific events (like the 2018 parade) or skipped ceremonies (like the one in France), but the federal holiday remains untouched.
- Look for legislative action: Unless you see a bill moving through the House and Senate to change the U.S. Code, the calendar is safe.
If you really want to honor the day, honestly, the best move isn't arguing about politics online. Reach out to a vet you know. Maybe look into the VA's volunteer programs or donate to a vetted non-profit like the Fisher House Foundation, which helps military families stay together during medical treatments. Those are the things that actually matter more than a headline about a canceled parade from eight years ago.
Next Steps for You
- Verify your news sources: Before sharing a post about holiday changes, check official government sites like VA.gov or the White House Briefing Room.
- Support local veterans: Instead of worrying about federal cancellations, check your local city's schedule for Veterans Day 2026. Most towns have their own parades that rely on local volunteers.
- Learn the history: Read up on the 1954 legislation signed by Dwight D. Eisenhower that officially changed "Armistice Day" to "Veterans Day" to understand why the name matters so much to the community.