Trump complains Juneteenth is costing the U.S. billions and says “Even the workers aren’t asking for more holidays”

Former President Donald Trump took aim at the growing number of federal holidays on Thursday, arguing that the observances are draining the U.S. economy. His remarks came as the nation marked Juneteenth, the latest federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans.

“Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

“The workers don’t want it either,” he added.

Federal holidays typically provide government workers a paid day off, resulting in closures for many public offices and disruptions across various industries. Business leaders have occasionally echoed concerns about the economic effects of additional holidays, although the issue remains politically charged.

Juneteenth, officially recognized as a federal holiday in 2021 under President Joe Biden, celebrates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom—over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

Trump, who has previously criticized what he sees as an excess of government observances, continued his opposition in Thursday’s post.

“Soon we’ll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he wrote.

While President Biden marked the holiday by hosting a celebratory concert on the South Lawn featuring prominent Black musicians and a bipa of elected officials, Trump was notably absent from official Juneteenth commemorations in Washington.

However, this year the former president did make an appearance at a commemorative event in Galveston, Texas—the birthplace of Juneteenth. Details of his participation were not disclosed, but the visit marked a rare nod to the holiday from a political figure who has previously questioned its prominence.