Donald Trump has stirred up controversy with his recent decision to remove two significant holidays from the National Park Service’s (NPS) list of fee-free entrance days.
In their place, Trump has added a holiday of his own - his birthday.
Key Holidays Removed
Over the weekend, it was revealed that Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth would no longer be included in the list of free entry days at national parks, a move that has drawn sharp criticism, per Sky News.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed on the third Monday of January, honors the life and legacy of the iconic Civil Rights leader. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the end of slavery in the United States.
Instead, the 79-year-old president has added his own birthday, June 14, to the list of fee-free days.
This day, which coincides with Flag Day, is now a designated “patriotic” day where Americans can visit national parks without paying the usual entrance fees.
Additionally, Fourth of July weekend and Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday have also been added to the fee-free list.
A Shift in Park Policy: Part of Trump's ‘Modernization’ Efforts
According to the BBC, this change is part of Trump’s broader initiative to modernize the National Park Service, which is set to begin in 2026.
The move is also in line with an executive order issued in July that aims to restructure park fees in a way that benefits American citizens more than foreign visitors.
In 2026, US citizens will have free access to national parks on several key dates, including President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day (Trump’s birthday), Independence Day weekend, Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday, Constitution Day, Veteran’s Day, and the 110th anniversary of the National Park Service.
However, while these changes will benefit US residents, non-US citizens will still have to pay entrance fees on these otherwise fee-free dates.
The cost for a park pass has increased significantly, with US residents now paying $80 (£60) for an annual pass, and non-residents facing a steep price of $250 (£187.62), according to the Department of the Interior.
.jpg_KxNZRz?tr=cr-0.0.1024.683,f-webp,q-75)
Public Outcry: Critics Slam Trump’s Decision
The decision to remove Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of free entry days has sparked intense backlash on social media. Many have expressed their outrage, with one Twitter user writing: "This dude is so obsessed with himself it’s insane."
Another social media user criticized the move, saying: "Trump signed away Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth from the list of free entry days at all national parks, and replacing them with HIS OWN birthday. Who agrees that Donald Trump is a pathetic bigot?"
Others have voiced concerns about the broader implications of this change. One user stated: "They dressed it up as ‘modernising’ the park schedule. But what they’re really doing is rewriting national memory. And that’s dangerous when we pretend it’s just policy."
Thoughts?