'Whether you like it or not': Trump downplays Europe’s role in defeating Hitler
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump believes that the victory in World War II over Nazi Germany was largely the result of the American army's efforts. In doing so, he downplayed the role of European countries in the defeat of Hitler's forces, according to the Washington Times.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump declared May 8 a day to celebrate the victory of the Allied forces over National Socialism and Fascism, marking the end of World War II in Europe.
As a result, today, Thursday, the US will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism in World War II.
During a speech in the Oval Office, Trump stated that "our World War II allies are celebrating this week, but the United States has never joined in with the proper celebration of our own."
According to the US President, "the victory was mostly accomplished because of us."
“Whether you like it or not, we came into that war and we won that war and we had a lot of help from a lot of great people, a lot of great allies,” Trump remarked.
He emphasized that "it was American tanks, ships, trucks, planes, and soldiers that defeated the enemy 80 years ago this week."
"Without America, liberation would never have happened," Trump added.
He also expressed his belief that "no one would say we were not the dominant force in that war, and yet we don’t celebrate it."
Trump’s statements on WWII victories
Earlier, Trump declared that May 8 would be a national holiday in the US, alongside November 11, to honor victories in World War I.
“We won two World Wars, but we never took credit for it — Everyone else does!” Mr. Trump wrote on social media. “All over the World, the Allies are celebrating the Victory we had in World War II. The only Country that doesn’t celebrate is the United States of America, and the Victory was only accomplished because of us.”
"Therefore, I am hereby declaring a National Holiday in celebration of the Victories of World War I, where the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, and World War II, where the Victory date was May 8, 1945," stated Mr. President.
Trump’s proclamation on May 8th as Victory Day
On May 7, the White House released a proclamation signed by Trump, officially declaring May 8 as Victory Day over Nazism in World War II.
Western media have noted that Trump's comments came even though many European allies suffered much greater losses and destruction than the US during both global conflicts.
After the US entered World War II in 1941, over 400,000 American servicemen were killed. According to open sources, the Soviet Union lost over 20 million people, while the UK lost 384,000 soldiers and 70,000 civilians during World War II.
