Trump Mocks France Over WWII Commemorations, Urges Greater U.S. Recognition

[Social Media]

 

Trump Criticizes France Over WWII Commemorations, Urges Greater U.S. Recognition

 

President Donald Trump stirred fresh controversy during a speech at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by mocking France’s recent commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe during World War II. Speaking to American troops, Trump downplayed France’s role in the war and insisted that the United States deserves far more recognition for its contributions.

 

“We love France, right. But I think we did a little more to win the war than France did, do we agree?” Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience. He continued, “You know, I don't want to be a wise guy. But when Hitler made his speech at the Eiffel Tower, I would say that wasn’t exactly ideal.”

 

Recalling a conversation he had with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump claimed he had been surprised by the extent of the European celebrations. “Good guy, by the way,” Trump said, before imitating Macron’s accent and words: “‘Donald, we are celebrating our victory over the Germans.’” Trump added sarcastically, “Oh, that’s wonderful. Now, we don’t take credit for what we do. And I said, what the hell? Every country I’ve spoken to in the last week is celebrating the war but us. Isn’t that terrible?”

President Trump delivered remarks to US troops at Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar today.
. pic.twitter.com/4PKyoy4c73

— Paul Villarreal (AKA Vince Manfeld) (@AureliusStoic1) May 15, 2025

 

Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, is observed on May 8 in France and the United Kingdom, marking the date in 1945 when Nazi Germany formally surrendered to the Allied forces. Russia observes the occasion a day later, on May 9, due to time zone differences and the treaty’s late signing.

 

Trump expressed frustration that while other nations mark the day with ceremonies and national pride, the United States seems to downplay its own pivotal role in the Allied victory. “Russia was celebrating, France was celebrating, everybody was celebrating but us. And we’re the ones that won the war. We won the war,” he said emphatically.

 

He went further, asserting that without American intervention, the outcome of World War II might have looked very different. “And they helped, but without us they don’t win the war. We’re all speaking German. You know that, right? Without us, they’re speaking German, maybe a little Japanese too. We won the war. And we’re the only ones that didn’t celebrate.”

 

Trump’s remarks underscore a long-standing theme in his public speeches, in which he frequently criticizes allies for what he sees as a lack of acknowledgment of American leadership and sacrifice. His tone, often sarcastic and provocative, has previously caused tension with international partners, and his comments about France's war-time efforts are likely to attract renewed scrutiny.

 

As of now, the French foreign ministry has not publicly responded to Trump’s statements. Newsweek confirmed it reached out to their press office via email for comment.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Newsweek  2025-05-17

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

Poor Don; he knows about the art of the deal; but his knowledge of WWII seems highly distorted and/or inadequate.

[dinsdale]

9 minutes ago, JimHuaHin said:

Poor Don; he knows about the art of the deal; but his knowledge of WWII seems highly distorted and/or inadequate.

Took Hitler's war machine six weeks to conquer France. It's inarguable that the US's entry into WW II changed the tide of the war.

[carlf]

The USA undeniably came to the rescue of Europe during WWII.  But if Trump is going to remind France about how grateful they should be for the USA's support 80 years ago, perhaps he should remember and acknowledge the critical support that France provided to the emerging USA in 1778 almost 250 years ago.  It goes two ways.

[newbee2022]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

“You know, I don't want to be a wise guy

God sake, you'll never be not have been. Got it?

[Presnock]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Trump Criticizes France Over WWII Commemorations, Urges Greater U.S. Recognition

 

Former President Donald Trump stirred fresh controversy during a speech at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar by mocking France’s recent commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe during World War II. Speaking to American troops, Trump downplayed France’s role in the war and insisted that the United States deserves far more recognition for its contributions.

 

“We love France, right. But I think we did a little more to win the war than France did, do we agree?” Trump said, drawing laughter from the audience. He continued, “You know, I don't want to be a wise guy. But when Hitler made his speech at the Eiffel Tower, I would say that wasn’t exactly ideal.”

 

Recalling a conversation he had with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump claimed he had been surprised by the extent of the European celebrations. “Good guy, by the way,” Trump said, before imitating Macron’s accent and words: “‘Donald, we are celebrating our victory over the Germans.’” Trump added sarcastically, “Oh, that’s wonderful. Now, we don’t take credit for what we do. And I said, what the hell? Every country I’ve spoken to in the last week is celebrating the war but us. Isn’t that terrible?”

 

Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day, is observed on May 8 in France and the United Kingdom, marking the date in 1945 when Nazi Germany formally surrendered to the Allied forces. Russia observes the occasion a day later, on May 9, due to time zone differences and the treaty’s late signing.

 

Trump expressed frustration that while other nations mark the day with ceremonies and national pride, the United States seems to downplay its own pivotal role in the Allied victory. “Russia was celebrating, France was celebrating, everybody was celebrating but us. And we’re the ones that won the war. We won the war,” he said emphatically.

 

He went further, asserting that without American intervention, the outcome of World War II might have looked very different. “And they helped, but without us they don’t win the war. We’re all speaking German. You know that, right? Without us, they’re speaking German, maybe a little Japanese too. We won the war. And we’re the only ones that didn’t celebrate.”

 

Trump’s remarks underscore a long-standing theme in his public speeches, in which he frequently criticizes allies for what he sees as a lack of acknowledgment of American leadership and sacrifice. His tone, often sarcastic and provocative, has previously caused tension with international partners, and his comments about France's war-time efforts are likely to attract renewed scrutiny.

 

As of now, the French foreign ministry has not publicly responded to Trump’s statements. Newsweek confirmed it reached out to their press office via email for comment.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Newsweek  2025-05-17

 

 

IMHO, Trump should be the last one to criticize anyone about participation in any war - after all he is well known as MR. Heel Spurs so he could avoid the US draft and then played the major sports in College.  And over the years numerous comments of disdain for US military especially POW's and wounded.

[Chomper Higgot]

 

‘king draft dodger needs to keep the sacrifices of others out of his stinking mouth.

[NedR69]

"You know what they say about France...they're always there when they need us".

[Tug]

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

Took Hitler's war machine six weeks to conquer France. It's inarguable that the US's entry into WW II changed the tide of the war.

We tryed to avoid the war,it wasn’t until we were attacked by the Japanese did we enter.We didn’t declare war with Germany untle Hitler declared war on us.as far as anyone can win a war we here in the states hands down reaped the benefits from that hideous crime on humanity.trump is an absolute cad for making disparaging remarks about a nation that had to suffer the Nazi occupation for 5 years.he has no filter or class the Europeans don’t call him the vulgarin for nothing.

[chaila]

[Snackbar]

Former President?

[wwest5829]

11 minutes ago, Tug said:

We tryed to avoid the war,it wasn’t until we were attacked by the Japanese did we enter.We didn’t declare war with Germany untle Hitler declared war on us.as far as anyone can win a war we here in the states hands down reaped the benefits from that hideous crime on humanity.trump is an absolute cad for making disparaging remarks about a nation that had to suffer the Nazi occupation for 5 years.he has no filter or class the Europeans don’t call him the vulgarin for nothing.

Just another confirmation that having money does not equate with having class.

[NoDisplayName]

19 minutes ago, chaila said:

 

Don't fault Trump for this.  Both serve the same master.

[FolkGuitar]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

.......  And we’re the ones that won the war. We won the war,” he said emphatically. 

.............We won the war.

 

 

We?  Bullsh!t!

He didn't do jack sh!t to help win ANY war. He dodged the draft for the only war he could have helped with, letting my friends die in his place.
Yes, America helped solve the problem. 47 just instigates them.

 

[Hummin]

Never going to be good debates between those who know history, studie history, and those who only read headlines, and cut and paste stories colored for best purpose of their agenda

 

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Took Hitler's war machine six weeks to conquer France. It's inarguable that the US's entry into WW II changed the tide of the war.

We won it. Thats the bottom line. Where we screwed up was not taking out Stalin.

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

We won it. Thats the bottom line. Where we screwed up was not taking out Stalin.

As said above, clueless 

[Bday Prang]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

 

‘king draft dodger needs to keep the sacrifices of others out of his stinking mouth.

Out of interest, how would you have dealt with being drafted? I would have taken whatever steps I could to avoid it and I feel no shame in admitting that.  Somehow I don't see you on the frontline acting like Rambo killing commies

[Yagoda]

Just now, Hummin said:

As said above, clueless 

And tell me whats clueless? Do you deny the we won the war, not only on the ground and in the air, but via our industrial might? Do you further deny it was a mistake to put the screws to Russia?

[Bday Prang]

14 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

We?  Bullsh!t!

He obviously didn't mean himself personally, He was using the word in the same way that football fans do when they say "we won"

I know Trump gets micro scrutinised in everything he says and does but this is getting ridiculous,  

[Bday Prang]

The only contribution France made to the war was to provide inspiration for a popular British sitcom, which took the piss out of all nationalities involved including ourselves of course.

I doubt the BBC has any plans to repeat any episodes lol

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, Yagoda said:

And tell me whats clueless? Do you deny the we won the war, not only on the ground and in the air, but via our industrial might? Do you further deny it was a mistake to put the screws to Russia?

It is a bit more complicated than just have the industrial power, you need men on ground to win a war, men who is willing to sacrifice everything, and you also had the treaty that was the foundation for the final victory. 

 

D day was a unified invasion with soldiers from 12 countries

[Yagoda]

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

It is a bit more complicated than just have the industrial power, you need men on ground to win a war, men who is willing to sacrifice everything, and you also had the treaty that was the foundation for the final victory. 

 

D day was a unified invasion with soldiers from 12 countries

So do you deny that the USA won the war or not? 

 

PS your Grandmaison view of combat is so pre Maxim, is it not? And what treay was the "foundation" of victory?

[Hummin]

2 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

So do you deny that the USA won the war or not? 

 

PS your Grandmaison view of combat is so pre Maxim, is it not? And what treay was the "foundation" of victory?

Now you picking a fight where there is no fight. No Usa together with allies won the war. The war wouldn't had ended without Russia onboard. At least not before Usa nuked Japan

[Breizh]

14 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

He obviously didn't mean himself personally, He was using the word in the same way that football fans do when they say "we won"

I know Trump gets micro scrutinised in everything he says and does but this is getting ridiculous,  

And the same applies to Macron: The 8th of May in France is the celebration of the end of WWII and the victory of the Allies over the Nazis. So "our victory" applies for "Allies victory", not France only. D Day celebrations in Normandy always include all the Allies countries.

The "Ally" concept may not be easy to understand for some though 😉

[Yagoda]

4 minutes ago, Hummin said:

The war wouldn't had ended without Russia onboard

Russia moved its armies on our trucks.

[Bday Prang]

He is absolutely right America should celebrate and remember those who died. In the UK its not much better, there's only one remembrance day for the war but a whole week is dedicated to the "alphabet " community

[Hummin]

7 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Russia moved its armies on our trucks.

I have used up my quota for answering ignorant rude members today. Try again tomorow

[Cameroni]

25 minutes ago, Hummin said:

t is a bit more complicated than just have the industrial power, you need men on ground to win a war, men who is willing to sacrifice everything,

 

Quite so, and it was the Russians who were on the ground and won the war.

 

For several years Russia begged the US, and the UK, to open a second front to help defeat Germany.

 

For years the US and UK cowardly refused, letting Russia bleed herself out and losing 20 million men.

 

Only when Germany was clearly on the road to certain defeat did the Americans and British dare to open that second front in Normandy. Years after Russia asked them to.

 

If you want to know who contributed the most to win WWII you just have to look at the casualty figures.

 

[Yagoda]

7 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I have used up my quota for answering ignorant rude members today. Try again tomorow

Take your white feather with you when you retreat to your corner.