Trump Declares “Victory Day” to Honor American Troops
In a move that has stirred outrage across the Atlantic and within the veteran community, U.S. President Donald Trump announced this week that he is officially renaming VE Day — Victory in Europe Day — to “Victory Day for World War II” in the United States. His reasoning? To spotlight what he called the “bravery and sacrifice of the American people,” claiming they were “by far the bravest” in the global conflict.
The announcement, made via Truth Social and later reinforced during a press conference, comes just days before the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8. The timing and tone of the message—particularly his comment that “Britain did their part, but let’s be honest, America won the war”—have triggered international backlash and accusations of historical revisionism.
Claims Americans Were the “Bravest” in World War II
While Trump did acknowledge the cooperation of the Allied forces, his message focused squarely on the U.S. contribution, with barely a mention of Britain, the Soviet Union, or other nations that bore heavy burdens in the conflict. He also announced plans to rename Veterans Day, celebrated on November 11, as “Victory Day for World War I,” a move he said would “finally give proper credit to American might.”
Critics were quick to slam the rhetoric, accusing Trump of politicizing military history to rally nationalist sentiment ahead of the election. “It’s not just inaccurate,” one U.S. historian wrote on X, “it’s offensive to the millions of Allied troops who fought and died long before the U.S. even entered the war.”
Global Backlash: Britain, Veterans, and Historians Respond
UK Outrage Over Ignored Allied Contributions
In the UK, the reaction has been swift and scathing. Former British Army chief General Lord Dannatt said Trump’s remarks showed “utter ignorance” of history. “To imply the U.S. singlehandedly won WWII is to rewrite one of the most important collective efforts in modern history,” he said.
The UK’s Defence Secretary also weighed in, calling Trump’s renaming of VE Day “deeply disrespectful” and “historically inaccurate.” Many noted that Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany from 1939 to 1941, before the U.S. joined the war following Pearl Harbor. The Battle of Britain, the Blitz, and Dunkirk were all defining moments in which the UK held the line.
Russian officials, too, expressed disbelief. The Soviet Union suffered the highest number of casualties during WWII, with an estimated 27 million deaths. “If anyone deserves the title of ‘bravest,’ it’s the Soviet soldiers who turned the tide at Stalingrad,” a Kremlin spokesperson said.
Veterans’ Groups Condemn Holiday Name Change
Veterans groups on both sides of the Atlantic have voiced frustration with the rebranding. The American Legion released a statement urging the administration to “respect the shared sacrifices of all Allied forces.” British veterans’ groups called the announcement “divisive and disrespectful.”
A 97-year-old WWII veteran from Leeds told the BBC, “We fought shoulder to shoulder. I saw Americans and Brits die the same way, for the same cause. That’s the only history that matters.”
Meanwhile, on U.S. soil, not all reactions were critical. Some far-right figures and influencers applauded Trump’s push to “put America first,” but the broader response from historians and military families was overwhelmingly negative.
Understanding the Historical Weight of VE Day
How the Allies Worked Together to Defeat Nazi Germany
VE Day — Victory in Europe Day — marks the formal surrender of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945, and the end of the war in Europe. It’s a day commemorated by all Allied nations as a tribute to their unified fight against tyranny. The defeat of Hitler’s regime was not the work of one nation, but the result of countless military campaigns and millions of lives lost from the U.S., UK, France, the Soviet Union, and other nations.
American involvement in WWII was pivotal, particularly through the D-Day invasion and the liberation of France. But the war was already years old when the U.S. entered in late 1941, and the global effort to stop Hitler spanned continents, armies, and ideologies.
Why May 8 Is Sacred in Global History
For many nations, VE Day is not just about military victory but the human cost of war. It’s a day for remembrance, not political one-upmanship. In the UK, it’s marked by solemn services and moments of silence. In Europe, it’s a day of peace and gratitude.
Trump’s rebranding efforts, especially timed so close to the 80th anniversary, have been seen by many as a political stunt that overlooks the solemnity and unity VE Day is meant to represent.
