Trump Replaces MLK Day and Juneteenth with His Birthday at National Parks
Donald Trump has sparked controversy with a bold change to the National Park Service’s (NPS) fee-free days. The former president removed two major holidays—Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth—and replaced them with his own birthday.
Key Holidays Removed
Over the weekend, news broke that Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth would no longer grant free entrance to national parks.
MLK Day, observed on the third Monday of January, honors the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the end of slavery in the United States. Both days have long held cultural and historical significance.
Instead, Trump, 79, added his birthday—June 14—to the fee-free schedule. The day coincides with Flag Day and is now designated as a “patriotic” day when Americans can visit parks without paying the usual entrance fees.
In addition, Fourth of July weekend and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday have also been added to the list.
A Shift in Park Policy
According to the BBC, this move is part of Trump’s larger plan to “modernize” the National Park Service, set to begin in 2026.
The changes align with a July executive order aiming to restructure park fees in favor of US citizens over foreign visitors. Under the new rules, Americans will enjoy free access on key dates: President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day (Trump’s birthday), Independence Day weekend, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, Constitution Day, Veteran’s Day, and the NPS’s 110th anniversary.
Non-US citizens, however, will still face entrance fees on these dates. Annual passes for US residents now cost $80 (£60), while non-residents pay $250 (£187.62), per the Department of the Interior.
Looking Ahead
While US citizens may benefit from free access on the new list of dates, the change has sparked debate over priorities, historical recognition, and the personal motives behind policy decisions.
Trump’s birthday now joins the ranks of the nation’s fee-free days—but the move has left many Americans questioning whether this is modernization or self-celebration at the expense of history.
