Trump 'jokes' about dead soldiers during Memorial Day speech
Topics: Politics, US News, Donald Trump
Jen Thomas
Featured Image Credit: Roberto Schmidt/Getty Images
Topics: Politics, US News, Donald Trump
Donald Trump is facing severe criticism from people who are unhappy with his speech given for Memorial Day, when he used the opportunity to make a joke.
The address took place at the Arlington memorial, where the President was paying tribute to the fallen, after earlier being criticised for giving an 'unpresidential' speech.
Memorial Day in the US usually falls on the last Monday of May, and is used to pay tribute to brave service men and women who gave their life for their country.
Trump's speech started off normally, before taking a turn for the worse.
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He was sharing the history of the burial ground when he started talking about the names of some of the soldiers.
“In this sacred soil, which is first consecrated in the hours of America’s greatest division to be eternal symbol, national unity,” he said.
“It cannot be by chance alone that the very first service member laid to rest here in this place of supreme sacrifice was a Union soldier by the name of Private Christman. Private William Henry Christman of Pennsylvania, who died, 19 years old. He was a great young man, they say.
“Beside him are more than 18,000 other young men named William, over 20,000 named John, over 13,000 named James."
It was then that he caused upset, adding: "Joined over time by Isaac, Elijah, Earls, Hanks, Helens, Juans, Margarets, Marius, Donalds — not too many," followed by a big laugh.
The fact he joked about the name and used the sombre moment for comic effect has ruffled feathers online.
It comes after many people accused Trump and his son, Barron, of being 'draft dodgers'.
“We know one Donald safely stayed at home with fake bone spurs," wrote one critic.
“The others at Arlington had real wounds, real bravery, real sacrifice. Among them are thousands of brave soldiers from every background and nationality, whose names aren’t props for a joke. This tells you everything about how small he is in a place built for people who gave everything.”
Trump: 400,000 souls rest on these grounds. Beside him are more than 18,000 other young men named William, over 20,000 named John, over 13,000 named James—joined over time by Isaacs, Elijahs, Earls, Hanks, Helens, Juans, Margarets, Marius, Donalds—not too many. *laughs* pic.twitter.com/g94AfAQ0JH
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 25, 2026
Another fumed: "There are moments that demand silence, gravity, respect, especially in the shadow of 400,000 names carved into sacrifice.
"And then there’s Trump, turning a Memorial Day remembrance into a bit about 'Donalds… not too many,' followed by a laugh like it’s a roast set instead of hallowed ground.
"That disconnect is the point. Not just what was said, but how easily reverence gets replaced with ego and applause lines.
"Arlington isn’t a stage. The dead aren’t material. Respect isn’t optional there," they finished.
Another angry onlooker wrote "At Arlington, you don’t play to the crowd. You lower your voice. You remember where you are.
Memorial Day is not a stage for punchlines. It is sacred ground, filled with names, grief, courage, and families who paid forever. Pray we never forget that."
Others were more blunt: "This man is a SOULESS GHOUL. NOT MANY DONALDS. HEHEHE. GHOUL"
"It’s an absolute abomination," fumed another. "That's sacred ground. There’s no need to be funny. Maybe he should just break character and just be totally solemn and give a speech like that. Although he’s done it for 5 years. He does what he wants."
It comes after he shared several messages online for Memorial Day which took shots at his opponents, rather than paying tribute.