United States: On the solemn occasion of Juneteenth—Thursday’s federal observance commemorating the long-overdue liberation of Black Americans—President Trump, known for his loquacity, opted for an uncharacteristic hush. Not a syllable uttered, no text drafted, not even a whisper on his digital mouthpiece. A day once etched into his speeches passed by as though it were invisible.

When cornered by queries, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt offered no ceremonial script. “I’m not tracking any signed proclamation today,” she responded with a smile thin as paper. “It’s a federal holiday. Thank you all for showing up. We’re working around the clock.” Her response was curt, her tone final. Pressed again—would there be any form of tribute later? She simply reiterated, “I just answered that question.”

Yet only the previous evening, prominent Black community voices, members of the Trump administration, and various delegates had congregated within the White House walls. Their conclave focused on bridging the disconnect between community figures and governmental allies—federal, state, and municipal, according to fortune.com.

According to a senior official (speaking under condition of anonymity), notable attendees included Housing Secretary Scott Turner and minority outreach lead Lynne Patton.

Trump’s thunderous quiet this year stood in stark opposition to his former recognition of the holiday. Juneteenth remembers the June 19, 1865 moment when Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, informing the enslaved that they were, at last, free—years after Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. A silence from Trump was particularly loud given prior White House notes suggesting he might issue a Juneteenth proclamation. That proclamation never materialized. On Thursday, Trump held no events. Yet, he found ample time to share musings on Iran, TikTok, and Fed chair Jerome Powell via his online domain.

As dusk approached, Trump lamented the glut of federal holidays, framing them as an economic drain: “Too many non-working holidays… costing our Country $BILLIONS.” His post painted Juneteenth not as a tribute, but as a fiscal nuisance. The irony: most businesses remain open on Juneteenth, with only federal institutions shuttered.

This year’s silence stood in stark contrast to Trump’s earlier affirmations. In 2017, he reminisced on the “soulful celebrations and jubilant relief” felt by Galveston’s enslaved people upon hearing news of freedom. In following years, he echoed this sentiment, layering his speeches with acknowledgment of Black resilience and contributions.

His 2019 message praised the depth of Black influence on American culture. In 2020, he described Juneteenth as a date of duality—“a searing memory of slavery’s torment and the pure, unmatched rapture of emancipation.” That same year, amid the pandemic’s halt on political rallies, Trump picked Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his June 19 return to the campaign trail. The location and date ignited a firestorm—Tulsa, the site of the 1921 Black Wall Street massacre, and Juneteenth, together, felt like a tone-deaf provocation to many.

Under immense backlash, Trump postponed the rally. Critics emphasized the insensitivity: June 19 wasn’t just another day—it bore the weight of blood, history, and resilience. In a Wall Street Journal interview before the rally, Trump tried to reshape the narrative. “I made it famous,” he said of Juneteenth, noting that people hadn’t heard of it until he spotlighted it. “Very few people knew,” he claimed, adding that he moved the date out of respect for two Black friends, as per fortune.com.

While Black families had honored Juneteenth for generations, it was President Joe Biden in 2021 who, with the stroke of a pen, sealed it into federal memory. By then, Trump—facing political headwinds—had tried to court Black voters with a pledge to elevate Juneteenth’s legal standing. But the election’s outcome shifted that power.

Upon reclaiming office, Trump swiftly dismantled federal diversity and equity initiatives, declaring them discriminatory and “morally bankrupt.” Meanwhile, Biden honored Juneteenth with annual declarations and high-spirited South Lawn celebrations, inviting cultural icons to perform. His final tribute in 2024 featured Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and gospel powerhouse Kirk Franklin, with Vice President Kamala Harris joining in joyous dance.

This year, Biden journeyed to Galveston itself—ground zero for Juneteenth’s historical weight—where he addressed the faithful inside a venerable African Methodist Episcopal church.

While the current president chose remembrance, reflection, and presence, Trump’s choice was absence. From once claiming he gave Juneteenth its fame, he now offered it only a ghost of recognition. The echo of his silence said more than any speech ever could.