Presidential Message on Victory Day for World War I

President Donald J. Trump commemorates the anniversary of the end of World War I, honoring American service members and framing their victory as a defining moment for liberty and U.S. military power.

1. Significance of World War I Victory

• Describes WWI’s end as securing the “immortal causes of liberty, sovereignty, and human dignity.”
• Calls it one of the most extraordinary displays of U.S. military might in American history.
• Honors every “hero of freedom” who shed blood for civilization’s survival.
• Reaffirms a pledge to “defend the needs, values, and interests of the American people first.”

2. U.S. Entry and Role in the War

• After war began in 1914, Europe descended into chaos and brutal warfare.
• The U.S. entered in 1917 following German submarine attacks:
• Entry of the U.S. triggered a decisive turning point, demonstrating the unrivaled strength of the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Millions of American men left home to halt the Central Powers’ “reign of conquest and oppression.”

3. Armistice and Sacrifice

• Armistice on November 11, 1918 forced tyranny “to its knees,” ending one of history’s deadliest conflicts.
• More than 320,000 Americans suffered casualties.
• States their sacrifices were not in vain—without them, the war would not have been won and the world would look “drastically different.”

4. Impact of the Great War on U.S. Power

• Mentions key battlefields: Verdun, Meuse-Argonne, the Somme, Belleau Wood, Flanders Fields.
• WWI is framed as a turning point for U.S. military strength:

5. “Peace Through Strength” and Modern Policy

• Trump says his Administration is upholding this legacy of “Peace Through Strength.”
• Cites negotiating historic peace agreements, including:
• Presents these actions as helping nations move beyond old conflicts toward “peace, prosperity, and success.”

6. Enduring Message and Commitment

• A century later, America honors the WWI generation whose victory proved:
• As the U.S. approaches 250 years of independence, Americans are called to:

Key Points