Trump avoids term “Genocide” in Armenian Remembrance Day statement, sparks Backlash

US President Donald Trump has avoided using the word “genocide” in his official 2025 “Armenian Remembrance Day” statement, drawing sharp criticism from Armenian-American advocacy groups and signaling a clear departure from former President Joe Biden’s policy.

In his official message titled “Presidential Message on Armenian Remembrance Day, 2025,” Trump referred to the 1915 massacres of Armenians as Medz Yeghern—meaning “Great Crime” in Armenian—but stopped short of explicitly labeling the events as genocide.

“Today we commemorate the Meds Yeghern, and honor the memories of those wonderful souls who suffered in one of the worst disasters of the 20th century.” the statement reads.

Trump added that his administration “remains committed to protecting religious freedom and vulnerable minorities,” a phrase many interpret as a diplomatic gesture toward Turkey, which continues to deny the genocide designation.

This rhetorical shift marks a significant break from Biden’s 2024 statement, where he had unequivocally stated:

“Today, we remember the lives lost during the Meds Yeghern—the Armenian Genocide.”

Biden’s recognition of the genocide had strained U.S.-Turkey relations at the time. In contrast, Trump’s softer language appears aimed at supporting ongoing normalization talks between Turkey and Armenia, though it has already provoked a strong domestic backlash.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) condemned Trump’s message, calling it a “shameful capitulation to Turkish pressure.”

“President Trump’s retreat from U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide represents a disgraceful surrender to Turkish threats – a shameful abrogation of our nation’s responsibility to prevent Azerbaijan and Turkey’s ongoing genocidal aggression against Christian Armenians,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

Hamparian also referenced the ethnic cleansing of Christian Armenians in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan, stressing that Trump “must not only recognize the 1915 Genocide sincerely, but also act to prevent its continuation by Turkey and Azerbaijan.”

The organization reminded the public of Trump’s 2024 campaign promise on social media to “bring peace to the South Caucasus and end violence and ethnic cleansing.” This year’s stance, they argued, directly contradicts that commitment.