Donald Trump has dismissed Britain’s contributions to ending World War Two, as he announced he will rename VE Day in the US.
The President said the May 8 VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) will undergo a rebrand in order to celebrate Americans' contributions to the conflict.
It will instead become “Victory Day for World War Two”, Trump announced on his Truth Social social media platform.
“We won both wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” he said.
Donald Trump has announced VE Day will be renamed as 'Victory Day for World War Two' in a massive affront to Britain and the Western allies
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A British Military Policeman stands by as a motorised column of British 2nd Army soldiers giving the V for Victory sign
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“That's because we don't have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! So we are going to start celebrating our victories again!”
The US will also scrap the title of Armistice Day which recognises the defeat of the Germans in 1918, instead renaming it as “Victory Day for World War One”.
“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,” Trump said online.
“I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I.”
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Winston Churchill led Britain to victory in World War TwoPAIt is unclear how the President will go about changing the names, as he has not yet signed an executive order.
Many were quick to point out that while the war in Europe came to an end when Germany surrendered on May 8, Allied forces, including Britain and the US, continued to fight against the Japanese until August 15, 1945, now marked by VJ Day.
“We won World War II on August 15, 1945, when the Japanese surrendered,” former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann said. “Trump is a complete moron.”
“Just embarrassing,” Larry Sabota, director of UVA’s Center for Politics, said. “Trump doesn't even know the basic facts about WWI and WWII.”
Roses on graves at Normandy
GB NEWSIn Russia, Victory Day as they call it, is celebrated on May 9, which is when the Nazis officially surrendered.
It is one of the most important holidays in the country and is marked by a massive parade.
About 27 million of its citizens died during the war, which the Russians joined in July 1941.
“Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945. For Americans, the Second World War would rage for three more months, until VJ Day in August,” David Frum, a writer at The Atlantic, said.
“But for Russians and those influenced by them, 'Victory Day' falls in May. Trump follows the Russian practice, not the American.”
Trump's comments come just a few days before VE Day 80 celebrations kick off across the UK with the Government announcing a national two-minute silence will be held to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
UK Government buildings and departments will remember and thank those who fought with a silence at 12 noon on Thursday, May 8, 2025, with other organisations invited to follow suit, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said.
VE Day commemorations will start on the May bank holiday on Monday, May 5.
The Cenotaph will be dressed in Union flags and there will be a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace and an RAF flypast over London.
Churches and cathedrals across the country will ring their bells as a collective act of thanksgiving at 6.30pm, echoing the sounds that swept across the country in 1945, the Church of England said.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has encouraged the public to get involved, saying the planned celebrations are a “chance for us to come together and celebrate our veterans and ensure their legacy of peace is passed on to future generations”.
