Trump signs Black History Month proclamation despite rumors he planned to 'cancel' it

By Jessica A. Botelho

Despite rumors and misinformation, President Donald Trump recognized February 2025 as National Black History Month.

As White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt promised, Trump signed a proclamation on Friday to honor the annual observance.

“Every year, National Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many black American patriots who have indelibly shaped our Nation’s history,” the president noted in a news release.

Throughout our history, black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways,” he added. “American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens. Their achievements, which have monumentally advanced the tradition of equality under the law in our great country, continue to serve as an inspiration for all Americans.”

Trump also urged public officials, educators, librarians, as well as all Americans, to observe February “with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.”

During a news briefing Friday afternoon, Leavitt clarified that Trump planned to ink the proclamation when she was questioned by a reporter.

The reporter asked her about rumors that were swirling in the news and on social media, with some saying Trump planned to “cancel” the yearly tradition.

The reporter also spoke about a memo from the Defense Intelligence Agency that ordered a pause of all activities and events related to Black History Month.

According to reports, “the memo listed 11 observances that are now banned,” including Black History Month, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Juneteenth, LGBTQ Pride Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and other “special observances.” The memo also reportedly noted all affinity groups and “employee networking groups” were immediately on pause.

Trump signed multiple executive orders since taking office Jan. 20, including one that puts a halt to federal programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

That led to a flurry of social media posts, with a Democratic state representative from Texas addressing it on X.

“While someone has tried to cancel Black history month that is NOT happening in our office,” U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett wrote on X last week.”

But Leavitt said that was not the case, with the president staying true to his word and signing the proclamation.

Still, it sparked backlash for Trump, with his critics taking to social media to remind him he didn’t create the observance.

“So, Donald Trump tried to cancel Black History Month, and now he’s acting like he’s the one bringing it back. How do you regift something that was already ours for decades?” one person wrote on X.”

Another person on X described Trump and his DEI polices as “anti-Black.”

“Trump cancelled Black History Month and Juneteenth celebrations proving anti-DEI means anti-Black,” according to the post.

A third X user called out Trump supporters, as well claimed Trump cancelled Black History Month and a handful of other observances.

“Anyone still supporting Trump, after he stopped remembrance of the Holocaust, celebrating black history, pride month, MLK jr, women’s history, etc., & wiped out recognition of trans and queer citizens, you’re racist & mentally defective sheep. Video of you. Unfollow me.”

Saturday marked the first day of Black History Month, which is a celebration of Black history, culture and education. The history of the month dates back almost a century, and the way it is celebrated and evolved has created history in itself.

Black History Month wasn’t always a monthlong celebration. In February 1926, historian and author Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week. It was a weeklong celebration in an effort to teach people about African-American history and the contributions of Black people.

This effort was made under the umbrella of an organization he founded in September 1915 called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or ASALH.

“I think Black folks understood what they had contributed to America’s historical narrative, but no one was talking about it,” said Kaye Whitehead, the organization’s president. “No one was centralizing it until Dr. Carter G. Woodson was in 1926.”

After he passed away in 1950, the members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, which Dr. Woodson was a member of, did a lot of groundwork to encourage celebrating the week. The fraternity was also responsible for the push to extend the celebrations to a full month. Eventually, in 1976, President Gerald Ford became the first president to issue a message recognizing the month.

Since then, presidents have made annual proclamations for National Black History Month, a tradition that Trump continues to honor.

“This National Black History Month, as America prepares to enter a historic Golden Age, I want to extend my tremendous gratitude to black Americans for all they have done to bring us to this moment, and for the many future contributions they will make as we advance into a future of limitless possibility under my Administration,” Trump said in the release.”