Donald Trump told a Memorial Day ceremony attended by families of war dead that he had “everything”.
The US president, seemingly digressing from his prepared remarks while speaking at Arlington National Cemetery, said he was looking forward to hosting the Olympics, World Cup and a military parade during his second term after paying tribute to the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.
The parade through Washington, DC on June 14 is intended to mark the 250th anniversary of the US army, although it will also fall on Mr Trump’s 79th birthday.
Mr Trump said the event would be a “big, big celebration”, and added: “I’m glad I missed that second term where it was because I wouldn’t be your president.”
The president told the crowd at Arlington National Amphitheatre, who warmly received him and applauded his remarks: “In addition, we have the World Cup and we have the Olympics.
“Can you imagine I missed that four years? And now look what I have I have everything – amazing the way things work out.”
During his address, Mr Trump also hit out at “unchecked” migration under his predecessor, Joe Biden, and earlier on Monday wished a “happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country”.
He introduced a number of Gold Star Families, whose relatives died in combat, during his speech and praised the “immortal deeds” of “American warriors”.
He told two young boys, whose mother, naval officer Shannon Kent, was killed by a suicide bomber in Syria six years ago: “Let me say your mum was a hero and her love, her strength, and her spirit are always with us and always with you.”
05:54 PM BST
That’s all for now
Thanks for following our coverage of Donald Trump’s presidential address on Memorial Day. This live blog is now closed.
05:28 PM BST
DC military parade ‘will be a big celebration’
Donald Trump says there will be a “big, big celebration” to mark the sacrifice of American soldiers, referring to a military parade in Washington, DC on June 14.
Donald Trump delivers remarks at the National Veterans Day Observance at the Memorial Amphitheatre in Arlington National Cemetery – SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
He says he is “glad I missed that second term… because I wouldn’t be your president”.
The parade, intended to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the US army, also falls on the date of Mr Trump’s 79th birthday.
05:25 PM BST
Trump pays tribute to Shannon Kent
Donald Trump is paying tribute to a number of fallen soldiers who have family members in attendance.
Shannon Kent, a Navy senior chief petty officer, was killed by a suicide bomber in Syria six years ago, leaving behind a husband and two young sons, he says.
“Today Shannon rests in peace on these grounds alongside her comrades,” Mr Trump continues.
“Let me say your mum was a hero and her love, her strength, and her spirit are always with us and always with you. She loved her boys.”
05:20 PM BST
Trump: US will ‘be greater than ever’
The “greatest monument” to the sacrifice of US soldiers is an “American nation, 325 million strong, which will soon be greater than it has ever been before”, Donald Trump continues.
He tells the story of a 24-year-old airman who was killed during the Vietnam War called Elroy Harworth, and introduces the man’s son and grandson in attendance at Arlington.
“Great family,” Mr Trump adds.
05:17 PM BST
Trump criticises ‘unchecked’ migration during address
Donald Trump pays tribute to the “immortal deeds” of “American warriors”.
He says they left “unfillable void and an unbreakable silence in the lives of all who love them”.
Mr Trump continues: “This Memorial Day is especially significant as we commemorate 250 years since the first American patriots field on the field of battle, two and a half centuries ago at Lexington Green, Concord Bridge, Bunker Hill.”
Donald Trump delivers the Memorial Day Address at the 157th National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery – AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
He says their sacrifice gave them a Republic “that I am fixing after a long and hard four years – that was a long, hard four years we went through.”
Mr Trump continues: “People pouring through our borders unchecked, people doing things that are indescribable and not for today to discuss.”
05:11 PM BST
Trump up now
Donald Trump is now delivering the presidential address for Memorial Day.
05:10 PM BST
Vance: We must be cautious about going to war
America’s leaders should “treat the lives of our troops as the most pressure resource,” JD Vance says, drawing a round of applause from those in attendance.
He continues: “The very best way to honour the fallen, is to only ask the next generation to make the ultimate sacrifice when they absolutely must. We must be cautious in sending our people to war.”
05:09 PM BST
‘This is what Memorial Day is all about’
JD Vance is speaking now, urging Americans to think about the sacrifice of fallen soldiers.
“The real tragedy of the loss is not in a single moment of suffering… but in all the future moments they and their families lost, every moment between their sacrifice on the battlefield and what would have been a natural death,” he says.
“They sacrifice a child’s embrace. They sacrifice walking their daughter down the aisle.”
The US vice president continues: “Consider the sum of all the moments that make a good life, and now appreciate the countless strangers, people most of you never met, they gave up those moments in their own life so that we could enjoy them in ours.
“And that is what Memorial Day is all about.”
04:59 PM BST
Hegseth: We must prepare for war
Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, is speaking now.
“Because we strive for peace we must prepare for war,” he says. “We will never, on behalf of those who have given so much, we will never be complacent. We owe these men nothing less.”
Donald Trump, JD Vance, Pete Hegseth and MG Trevor Bredenkamp – SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
He declares that they are standing “on the shoulders of those great men in those graces, and may we live to be worthy of it”.
04:50 PM BST
Joint chiefs chairman talking now
Dan Caine, the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, is speaking before Donald Trump.
He pays tribute to fallen troops who gave “the gift of selfless sacrifice for something greater than themselves” and their “incredible acts of valour and sacrifice”.
He quotes George S. Patton, the US general who commanded the Seventh Army during the Allied invasion of Sicily during the Second World War: “We should thank God that some such men lived.”
04:44 PM BST
Trump walks out
Donald Trump has appeared in front of the crowd at Arlington, pumping his fist as “Hail to the Chief” played.
04:41 PM BST
Trump to deliver Memorial Day address shortly
Donald Trump is expected to deliver his Memorial Day address shortly, after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Trump wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier – Sky News
Before that, however, the crowd gathered in the Arlington National Amphitheatre are hearing from a military band.
The United States Marine Band and the US Navy Band Sea Chanters performed a prelude earlier today at Arlington, ahead of Mr Trump’s arrival.
04:30 PM BST
Trump lays wreath at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
Donald Trump is handed the wreath and walks over to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, placing it on a white stand and then standing in silence with his hands clasped before him.
He then turns and walks back to stand in line with JD Vance and Pete Hegseth, and salutes again.
Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and JD Vance during ceremonies in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday – Sky News
04:28 PM BST
Trump salutes during national anthem
Donald Trump, accompanied by vice president JD Vance and defence secretary Pete Hegseth, is saluting in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as the US national anthem plays.
Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salute by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
04:26 PM BST
The scene at Arlington now
Donald Trump is yet to appear, but members of his cabinet and senior military figures are standing in silence at the Arlington National Amphitheatre, in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Donald Trump departs the White House to attend ceremonies in commemoration of the Memorial Day holiday – REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
A white stand is ready for the US president to lay the wreath, in the presidential tradition for Memorial Day.
Tulsi Gabbard, the national intelligence chief and a veteran of the Iraq War, has a prominent spot in the front row, dressed in black and standing with her hands clasped.
04:20 PM BST
Trump wishes ‘happy Memorial Day’ to ‘scum’
Ahead of his remarks at Arlington National Cemetery, Donald Trump wished a “happy Memorial Day to all, including the scum that spent the last four years trying to destroy our country through warped radical left minds”.
He hit out at Joe Biden, his predecessor, as an “incompetent president” who had opened the US’ borders to let foreign criminals pour in, whom he claimed were now being protected by “USA-hating judges”.
The US president concluded: “Fear not, we have made great progress over the last four months, and American will soon be safe and great again! Again, happy Memorial Day, and God Bless America.”
04:16 PM BST
Trump calls Putin ‘crazy’ after Russia’s largest air attack on Ukraine
Donald Trump has called Vladimir Putin “absolutely crazy” for his attacks on Ukrainian cities, levelling some of his sharpest criticism at the Russian leader.
A record number of Russian drones killed at least 13 people across Ukraine at the weekend, despite a prisoner exchange and the US pushing for a truce.
In a rare rebuke to Putin, Mr Trump on Sunday night posted on Truth Social: “I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely crazy!”
The US president went on to warn that if Putin wanted to conquer all of Ukraine, it would “lead to the downfall of Russia”.
Read the full article from Sunday here.
04:15 PM BST
Welcome
Hello and welcome to the live blog. Benedict Smith here. We’ll be bringing you the latest updates as Donald Trump delivers his Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery.
A young boy dressed in a military uniform attends the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum’s annual Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony in New York – Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
