It was just another morning in June 2025 until it wasn’t.
The internet was doing its usual thing.
Then a notification popped up from Truth Social.
Former President Donald Trump had something to say about Juneteenth.
And as is typically the case, his message sent shockwaves across the digital world.
It wasn’t just a simple holiday greeting, not at all.
It was a statement that was pure Trump, a mix of self-praise, historical claims, and a jab at his political enemies.
The reaction was immediate, and boy was it loud.
People on all sides jumped into the fray, creating the kind of online storm we’ve all come to expect.
Let’s break down what happened.
The Truth Social Post That Started a Fire
Around 9 AM Eastern Time the post went live.
Written in his signature style, with capital letters and short, punchy lines.
It was a real piece of work.
The message read something very close to this:
“HAPPY JUNETEENTH! A day that I, as your President, made a VERY BIG DEAL. Nobody talked about it before I did. I signed legislation making it more known than ever before, bigger than anyone thought possible! Remember, it was a Republican, Abraham Lincoln, who freed the slaves. The Democrats did NOTHING! I have done more for Black Americans than any president since Lincoln, maybe even MORE than Lincoln. Enjoy the day!”
This short message had it all.
It was a masterclass in his communication style.
A style that drives some people wild and makes others cheer.
It was, in a word, predictable.
And yet it still managed to catch everyone’s attention.
Unpacking the Message: What Was He Actually Trying to Do?
So what was going on with that post?
It wasn’t just a holiday wish. It was a political move, plain and simple.
You have to look at the different pieces he put in there to get the whole picture.
It was a message that, when you really think about it, tried to do a lot of things all at once.
Which is normally what he does.
He connects his own perceived accomplishments to a historical day.
A move that many found to be, well, a little bit jarring.
The Claim About Juneteenth
First off, the part about him making Juneteenth a big deal.
He suggests he’s the reason it’s a federal holiday.
This is a bending of the truth.
President Joe Biden signed the bill in 2021 that made Juneteenth a national holiday.
Trump was not in office at that time.
He did, however, famously schedule a rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Juneteenth in 2020.
That move created a huge amount of criticism.
And it definitely put a national spotlight on the day, but not in the way he probably wanted.
The “Best Since Lincoln” Line
This is a classic line from him.
He has said many times that he’s done more for the Black community than any president since Abraham Lincoln.
He points to things like criminal justice reform with the First Step Act.
And he mentions low unemployment numbers for African Americans before the pandemic.
His supporters will point to these things as proof.
His critics, on the other hand, point to his rhetoric on racial issues as something that has caused a lot of division.
The Jab at Democrats
And of course, he couldn’t resist a shot at his opponents.
By saying “The Democrats did NOTHING!”, he turns a day of historical reflection into a partisan fight.
He ties the Republican party to Lincoln, which is historically accurate.
But he uses it as a weapon in the current political battles of 2025.
It’s a way to rally his base and poke his rivals.
It is a move that is considered to be very effective for him.
The Immediate Firestorm: How Everyone Reacted
The reaction online was basically instant.
It split right down the usual political lines, which shouldn’t surprise anyone.
The whole thing blew up really fast.
Supporters: His base loved it. They saw it as him fighting back against the media. They praised him for being strong and for “telling it like it is.” For them, he was just setting the record straight.
Critics: Opponents were furious. They accused him of trying to co-opt a day that celebrates the end of slavery. They called him out for spreading misinformation about his role in making it a holiday.
Historians: A lot of history experts got involved. They pointed out the factual errors in his post. They explained the real history of Juneteenth and why his claims were off base.
The Media: News outlets had a field day. Cable news channels ran segments all day long. Websites wrote article after article breaking down the post and the reactions.
Why This Whole Thing Matters for 2025
So, a social media post gets a lot of attention. What else is new?
Well this matters for the political scene we’re living in right now.
It shows that Trump, whether in office or not, still knows how to command the news cycle.
He can say one thing and completely change the conversation for the entire day.
This is a tool he uses really well.
It also shows how divided everything still is.
A national holiday that should be about history and freedom immediately becomes another battle in the culture war.
There’s no middle ground anymore.
You’re either with him or against him, and his post forced everyone to pick a side again.
It’s a strategy, you see.
It keeps him relevant and keeps his supporters energized.
And in the political world of 2025, that’s what it’s all about.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Donald Trump actually sign the bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday?
No, he did not. The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden on June 17, 2021. Donald Trump was not president at that time.
2. What is Donald Trump’s past history with the Juneteenth holiday?
His most notable interaction with the holiday was in 2020. He scheduled a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 19th. This was seen as very insensitive given Tulsa’s history with the 1921 race massacre. After a lot of public pressure, he moved the rally to the next day.
3. Why does Trump often compare himself to Abraham Lincoln regarding Black Americans?
This is part of his political messaging. He points to certain economic stats and the First Step Act as evidence that his policies were very good for the Black community. By comparing himself to Lincoln, he’s trying to position himself as a historic figure for Black Americans and link his actions to the Republican party’s origins.
4. What was the main point of his 2025 Juneteenth social media post?
The main point appeared to be threefold. First, to take some credit for the holiday’s popularity. Second, to repeat his claim of being the best president for Black Americans since Lincoln. Third, to attack the Democratic party and score political points.
5. How do his posts get so much attention every time?
His communication style is very direct and often confrontational. This creates strong reactions. The media ecosystem is also set up to cover his every statement because he is a major political figure and his posts generate clicks and views. It’s a cycle that feeds itself.
Key Takeaways
Donald Trump’s 2025 Juneteenth post on Truth Social was a classic example of his political communication.
The post contained factual inaccuracies, specifically about his role in making Juneteenth a federal holiday.
He used the holiday to promote his own record and attack his political opponents, turning a historical day into a partisan issue.
The reaction was swift and predictable, splitting along party lines and dominating the news for the day.
The incident shows his continued ability to control the public conversation and highlights the deep political divisions that still exist.
