Latest news with #CenterforPolitics
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump is renaming Veterans Day to honor World War I soldiers - but nobody knows why
President Donald Trump announced he is renaming Veterans Day to 'Victory Day' to honor World War I soldiers and 'celebrate' how America 'won both wars.' Veterans Day, which takes place on November 11, was originally called Armistice Day in the U.S. by then-President Woodrow Wilson to honor 'the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory.' It was later renamed Veterans Day to honor all American military veterans. The president also revealed he wants to change the name of VE-Day on May 8 to 'Victory Day for World War II.' 'Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,' Trump reasoned on Truth Social. 'I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I.' It is unclear how Trump will go about changing the names, as he has not yet signed an executive order. 'We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,' Trump added. 'That's because we don't have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!' Critics were quick to point out that while the war in Europe came to an end when Germany surrendered on May 8, America continued to fight the Japanese in World War II until August 15, 1945. 'We won World War II on August 15, 1945 when the Japanese surrendered,' former MSNBC host Keith Olbermann said in a post on X. 'Trump is a complete moron.' 'Sometimes Trump comes up with things so monumentally stupid even I'm at a loss for words,' former Army officer and MeidasTouch podcast host Fred Wellman said on X. 'He wants to take away Veterans Day. He thinks WWII ended on May 8th. This is all so ridiculous.' 'Just embarrassing,' Larry Sabota, director of UVA's Center for Politics, said. 'Trump doesn't even know the basic facts about WWI and WWII.' Trump's claim that America 'did more than any other country by far' is also likely to ruffle Russian feathers. In Russia, Victory Day is held on May 9 to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. 'Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945. For Americans, the Second World War would rage for three more months, until VJ Day in August,' David Frum, a writer at The Atlantic, said. 'But for Russians and those influenced by them, "Victory Day" falls in May. Trump follows the Russian practice, not the American.' Meanwhile, plans have emerged for a huge military parade to mark Trump's birthday in June. The Army plans call from more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and possibly a couple thousand civilians, according to The Associated Press.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump is renaming Veterans Day to honor World War I soldiers - but nobody knows why
President Donald Trump announced he is renaming Veterans Day to 'Victory Day' to honor World War I soldiers and 'celebrate' how America 'won both wars.' Veterans Day, which takes place on November 11, was originally called Armistice Day in the U.S. by then-President Woodrow Wilson to honor 'the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory.' It was later renamed Veterans Day to honor all American military veterans. The president also revealed he wants to change the name of VE-Day on May 8 to 'Victory Day for World War II.' 'Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,' Trump reasoned on Truth Social. 'I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I.' It is unclear how Trump will go about changing the names, as he has not yet signed an executive order. 'We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,' Trump added. 'That's because we don't have leaders anymore, that know how to do so! We are going to start celebrating our victories again!' Critics were quick to point out that while the war in Europe came to an end when Germany surrendered on May 8, America continued to fight the Japanese in World War II until August 15, 1945. 'We won World War II on August 15, 1945 when the Japanese surrendered,' former MSNBC host said in a post on X. 'Trump is a complete moron.' 'Sometimes Trump comes up with things so monumentally stupid even I'm at a loss for words,' former Army officer and MeidasTouch podcast host Fred Wellman said on X. 'He wants to take away Veterans Day. He thinks WWII ended on May 8th. This is all so ridiculous.' 'Just embarrassing,' Larry Sabota, director of UVA's Center for Politics, said. 'Trump doesn't even know the basic facts about WWI and WWII.' Trump's claim that America 'did more than any other country by far' is also likely to ruffle Russian feathers. In Russia, Victory Day is held on May 9 to mark the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. 'Nazi Germany surrendered in May 1945. For Americans, the Second World War would rage for three more months, until VJ Day in August,' David Frum, a writer at The Atlantic, said. 'But for Russians and those influenced by them, "Victory Day" falls in May. Trump follows the Russian practice, not the American.' Meanwhile, plans have emerged for a huge military parade to mark Trump's birthday in June. The Army plans call from more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands and possibly a couple thousand civilians, according to The Associated Press.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona, Michigan are only toss-ups in governors' races: Sabato's Crystal Ball
(The Hill) – Nonpartisan election handicapper Sabato's Crystal Ball from the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia is rating the gubernatorial races in Arizona and Michigan as initial toss-ups, according to its analysis released Thursday. Sabato's Crystal Ball managing editor Kyle Kondik noted in the analysis that Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) could potentially face a strong Republican challenger this cycle after she narrowly defeated Republican candidate Kari Lake in 2022. Kondik noted President Trump's performance in Arizona in November coupled with intraparty divisions that have boiled over in public within the Arizona Democratic Party could create a challenging path to reelection. At the same time, Kondik noted Hobbs has benefited from the fact that she avoided a primary challenger of her own this cycle, and she could potentially be matched up against a weaker Republican opponent again. 'Donald Trump has endorsed both wealthy businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson — who quite possibly would have beaten Hobbs had she not lost the 2022 primary to Lake — as well as right-wing [Arizona] Rep. Andy Biggs … a more recent entrant who would be the more enticing opponent for Hobbs,' Kondik noted. Carney wins Canada election, warns 'Trump is trying to break us' Kondik also said Michigan's governor's race is also starting off as a toss-up, noting the entrance of an independent candidate in the race — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is a Democrat but is running as an independent — as Democrats look to hold control of the governor's mansion. The race has attracted a crowded field on both sides; several notable names running include Rep. John James (R-Mich.) and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) on the GOP side, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II (D); Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who gained notoriety in 2020 for marching with protesters during a demonstration in the wake of George Floyd's murder; and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) on the Democratic side. 'A Democrat has not succeeded another Democrat as Michigan governor since 1960, although these sorts of historical streaks are made to be broken — we once noted how Pennsylvania had a longstanding trend of alternating between eight years of one party followed by eight years of another,' Kondik wrote. 'That was true until it wasn't: Democrats have now won three straight elections there and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is favored to win a fourth,' he added. Notably, both states are battleground states Trump won in November, and they'll offer tests next year of whether Democrats can improve their standing with voters they lost in 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arizona, Michigan only governor's race toss-ups: Sabato's Crystal Ball
Nonpartisan election handicapper Sabato's Crystal Ball from the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia is rating the gubernatorial races in Arizona and Michigan as initial toss-ups, according to its analysis released Thursday. Sabato's Crystal Ball managing editor Kyle Kondik noted in the analysis that Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) could potentially face a strong Republican challenger this cycle after she narrowly defeated Republican candidate Kari Lake in 2022. Kondik noted President Trump's performance in Arizona in November coupled with intraparty divisions that have boiled over in public within the Arizona Democratic Party could create a challenging path to reelection. At the same time, Kondik noted Hobbs has benefited from the fact that she avoided a primary challenger of her own this cycle, and she could potentially be matched up against a weaker Republican opponent again. 'Donald Trump has endorsed both wealthy businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson — who quite possibly would have beaten Hobbs had she not lost the 2022 primary to Lake — as well as right-wing [Arizona] Rep. Andy Biggs … a more recent entrant who would be the more enticing opponent for Hobbs,' Kondik noted. Kondik also said Michigan's governor's race is also starting off as a toss-up, noting the entrance of an independent candidate in the race — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is a Democrat but is running as an independent — as Democrats look to hold control of the governor's mansion. The race has attracted a crowded field on both sides; several notable names running include Rep. John James (R-Mich.) and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) on the GOP side, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II (D); Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who gained notoriety in 2020 for marching with protesters during a demonstration in the wake of George Floyd's death; and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) on the Democratic side. 'A Democrat has not succeeded another Democrat as Michigan governor since 1960, although these sorts of historical streaks are made to be broken—we once noted how Pennsylvania had a longstanding trend of alternating between eight years of one party followed by eight years of another,' Kondik wrote. 'That was true until it wasn't: Democrats have now won three straight elections there and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is favored to win a fourth,' he added. Notably, both states are battleground states Trump won in November, and they'll offer tests next year of whether Democrats can improve their standing with voters they lost in 2024. — Updated at 12:10 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Arizona, Michigan only governor's race toss-ups: Sabato's Crystal Ball
Nonpartisan election handicapper Sabato's Crystal Ball from the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia is rating the gubernatorial races in Arizona and Michigan as initial toss-ups, according to an analysis it released on Thursday. Sabato's Crystal Ball managing editor Kyle Kondik noted in a new analysis that Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) could potentially field a strong Republican challenger this cycle after she narrowly defeated Republican candidate Kari Lake in 2022. Kondik noted President Trump's performance in Arizona in November coupled with intraparty divisions that have boiled over in public within the Arizona Democratic Party could offer her a challenging path to reelection. At the same time, Kondik noted that Hobbs has benefited from the fact that she avoided fielding a primary challenger of her own this cycle, and she could potentially go against a weaker Republican opponent again. 'Donald Trump has endorsed both wealthy businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson — who quite possibly would have beaten Hobbs had she not lost the 2022 primary to Lake — as well as right-wing Rep. Andy Biggs (R, AZ-5), a more recent entrant who would be the more enticing opponent for Hobbs,' Kondik noted. Kondik also said that Michigan's governor's race is also starting off as a toss-up, noting the entrance of an independent candidate in the race — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is a Democrat but is running for governor as an independent — as Democrats look to hold control of the governor's mansion. The governor's race has attracted a crowded field on both side, several notable names running include Rep. John James (R-Mich.) and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) on the GOP side while Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D) and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) on the Democratic side. 'A Democrat has not succeeded another Democrat as Michigan governor since 1960, although these sorts of historical streaks are made to be broken—we once noted how Pennsylvania had a longstanding trend of alternating between eight years of one party followed by eight years of another,' Kondik wrote. 'That was true until it wasn't: Democrats have now won three straight elections there and Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) is favored to win a fourth,' he added. Notably both states are battleground states Trump won in November, and they'll offer tests next year of whether Democrats can improve their standing with voters they lost in 2024.
