Donald Trump sparked backlash during a Memorial Day speech by telling families of fallen soldiers that he now has “everything.”
On Monday, May 26, President Donald Trump delivered a speech at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
He spoke in honor of American service members who lost their lives in war.
The Memorial Day event at Arlington included Vice President JD Vance, military families, veterans, and dignitaries honoring fallen service members.
What started as a solemn tribute soon turned controversial when Trump made personal remarks and political boasts seen as inappropriate.
Trump boasts he has ‘everything’ during Memorial Day speech to families of fallen heroes
During his speech, Trump unexpectedly shifted to discussing upcoming U.S.-hosted sporting events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
He also mentioned a military parade scheduled for next month in Washington, D.C.
The event coincides with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army—and notably, his birthday.
Describing it as a “big, big celebration,” Trump told the crowd, “I’m glad I missed that second term where it was because I wouldn’t be your president,” drawing mixed reactions.
The president added: “In addition, we have the World Cup and we have the Olympics. Can you imagine I missed that four years? And now look what I have I have everything – amazing the way things work out.”
Critics question timing and tone of Trump’s remarks
The phrase “I have everything” sparked immediate backlash online, as many felt it was tone-deaf given the setting and occasion.
Critics said boasting before families who lost loved ones in service was inappropriate and disrespectful during the Memorial Day ceremony.
One user said: Trump brags about the World Cup and the Olympics at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Disgrace has lost its meaning.
Another pointed out the stark contrast: While families are honoring their loved ones today, the President brags during his speech at Arlington.
The second user wrote: He’s not saying he has the greatest spur heels. But …
The fourth user commented: Didn’t the man once say those who were killed or taken prisoners were NOT heroes?
Another user said: I can only assume that he had a similar rambling experience when he spoke to the people that sorted his hairpiece. And look where that ended up!
Someone added: Even the devil is shaking his head …..
Trump’s Memorial Day post targets political opponents
Adding to the controversy, Trump also took to Truth Social to post a Memorial Day message, one that quickly turned political.
In an all-caps post, he honored fallen soldiers but also sharply attacked Joe Biden and the political left.
Trump wrote all in caps: “Happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds,
who allowed 21,000,000 million people to illegally enter our country, many of them being criminals and the mentally insane, through an open border that only an incompetent president would approve.
“But fear not, we have made great progress over the last 4 months, and America will soon be safe and great again! Again, happy Memorial Day, and God bless America!”
In his Arlington speech, Trump echoed these sentiments, criticizing what he called “unchecked” immigration under Biden’s leadership.
Referring to the last four years as “hard,” he questioned aloud: “Who would let that happen? People pouring through our borders unchecked.
People doing things that are indescribable and not for today to discuss.”
The comments, blending campaign-style rhetoric with Memorial Day reflections, drew strong reactions from both supporters and opponents.
While his base praised his directness, many others argued that Memorial Day should be a day of unity and remembrance, not a platform for political attacks.