Trump's Axing MLK Day and Juneteenth to Make His Birthday a National Event

The National Park Service (NPS) has revised its list of free admission days for 2026, adding President Donald Trump's birthday, 14 June, as a new fee-free day. The move has ignited immediate and significant controversy.

The addition comes at the expense of two federal holidays dedicated to racial equality and justice: Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth, both of which have been removed from the schedule. Critics immediately condemned the move. They called it a politically motivated and racially insensitive decision, designed to elevate the president at the expense of African American history.

The Significance of the Removed Holidays

The decision to remove Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the free admission schedule struck a particularly sensitive nerve. MLK Day, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 after a long and difficult campaign by civil rights activists, honours the nonviolent struggle for racial equality. It is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.

Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were informed of their freedom, was only established as a federal holiday in 2021. For many, its removal from the list is seen as a direct reversal of recent progress in formally acknowledging the country's history of slavery and the ongoing fight for justice.

Historical Holidays Removed to Make Room for Trump's Personal Celebration Day

The revised NPS list, set to take effect on 16 February 2026, grants free entry on holidays including Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day weekend. The most notable change is the addition of 14 June, which is now designated as 'Flag Day and President Donald Trump's birthday.'

This revision cancels free admission on Martin Luther King Jr Day, which honours the civil rights leader, and Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Other changes include the introduction of an additional $100 (£74.94) fee for foreign visitors at major sites like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone National Parks.

US National Park Schedules

Administration Defends 'America-First' Policy

The administration has defended the new park rules as a benefit to American families. 'President Trump's leadership always puts American families first,' Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a press release. 'These policies ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share.'

The NPS added that the changes are part of a commitment to 'enhancing access for American residents.' The statement explained: 'U.S. residents will continue to enjoy affordable pricing, while nonresidents will pay a higher rate to help support the care and maintenance of America's parks.'

Widespread Backlash and Accusations of Racism

The decision ignited a firestorm online. Across social media, users condemned the move as a racially charged action that prioritises a political figure over crucial civil rights milestones. Many called the president 'petty' and 'narcissistic' for inserting his own birthday into the schedule.

The criticism was not limited to social media. Civil rights advocates argued that the move was a deliberate attempt to marginalise the history of African Americans. By replacing holidays that commemorate the end of slavery and the fight for equality, they said the administration was forcing a celebration of a political figure at the direct expense of the nation's most significant civil rights achievements.