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Trump Avoids Using Term ‘Genocide’ in April 24 Statement

April 28, 2026

by

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

418

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump in his statement on April 24 refused to use the phrase Armenian Genocide, to no one’s surprise.

His statement said, in part, “Today, we pay tribute to the countless Armenians who were exiled and brutally massacred during the Meds Yeghern. We stand in steadfast solidarity with every Armenian American and Armenians around the world during this day of remembrance for the devastating events that occurred over 100 years ago, which continue to live in the collective memories of these communities today.

“This solemn chapter in human history will forever stand as a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the Armenian people and the hope at the center of Christianity. We honor the profound strength and resolve displayed by the Armenians in overcoming the tremendous tragedies of the past and forging a greater future that is defined by enduring prosperity, security, and peace. We commit to standing with them.”

This Armenian Remembrance Day, as we mourn the innocent souls who perished during the tragedy of the Meds Yeghern, we renew our sacred calling to protect the innocent, advance the cause for peace among all people, and cultivate a deep reverence for Almighty God, who sustains us through every trial and triumph.”

Both Armenian lobbying groups, the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Committee of America, decried the statement.

Said the Armenian Assembly, “On this solemn occasion of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, the Armenian Assembly of America honors the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians systematically destroyed by the Ottoman Empire beginning in 1915, and stands with survivors’ descendants in reaffirming historical truth, justice, and vigilance against renewed atrocities.

“The Assembly is deeply concerned that the failure to clearly affirm the Armenian Genocide is contributing to a climate of impunity at the very moment Armenian Christian heritage in Artsakh is under renewed assault. As international attention is absorbed by war in the greater region, Azerbaijan is accelerating the erasure of Armenian churches and cultural presence in Nagorno-Karabakh — a reality that underscores why historical truth must be defended clearly and consistently. The report of the utter destruction of the Mother Cathedral of Stepanakert exceeds the basest practices of vandalism and warrants the strongest condemnation,” their statement continued.

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny noted, “At a time when Armenian churches and cultural landmarks in Artsakh are being destroyed, and Armenian hostages remain unjustly held in Baku, any retreat from clear genocide affirmation carries consequences. Historical truth must be matched by moral consistency and concrete action. Denial, evasion, and ambiguity only encourage further atrocities.”

The Assembly’s statement continued, “Azerbaijan’s conduct jeopardizes the promise of the August 2025 White House agreement on a Peace Framework reached between Armenia and Azerbaijan with U.S. encouragement. The United States cannot be party to policies that compromise the potential of a just and lasting peace.

“While the genocidal Aliyev regime is razing Armenian churches to the ground and continuing to hold Armenian Christian hostages in Baku, a serious question must be asked: why would the United States enter into a strategic partnership agreement with Azerbaijan under such circumstances?

“The United States must also examine whether pursuing deeper strategic cooperation with Azerbaijan is compatible with America’s stated commitments to human rights, religious freedom, and genocide prevention. Washington should not strengthen ties with a government that continues to imprison Armenians, threaten Armenia’s security, and erase Armenian Christian heritage in Artsakh.

“The Assembly further urges the Administration to ensure that its policies in the South Caucasus reflect America’s stated commitment to religious freedom, human rights, and the protection of vulnerable Christian communities,” their statement continued.

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Topics: Genocide denial

People: Donald J. Trump

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In its statement, the ANCA condemned Trump’s “continued retreat from American recognition and remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, as reflected in his refusal — for the sixth time — to acknowledge this crime by name in the White House’s annual April 24th statement marking the 111th anniversary of the Ottoman Turkish Government’s systematic annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians.”

“President Trump is doubling down on his disgraceful surrender to Turkish threats — continuing, now for the sixth time, enforcing Ankara’s gag-rule against honest American remembrance of this crime — despite recognition by the White House, Congress, all fifty states, and more than a dozen NATO allies,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.

“President Trump’s complicity in covering up Turkey’s crimes — actively enabling Ankara’s ongoing consolidation of the WWI-era genocide of the Armenian people — is compounded by his Administration’s reckless policies arming and enabling Azerbaijan’s continued attempts to annihilate Armenians from their historic homeland,” Hamparian continued. “In the wake of Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh’s indigenous Armenian population — amid its ongoing occupation of Armenian territory, abuse of Armenian prisoners, and destruction of Armenian Christian heritage — the United States has a duty not only to speak the truth about the 1915 Genocide, but to end its complicity in pan-Turkic attempts to complete this genocide.”

Trump’s failure to use the word genocide stands in direct contradiction to his 2024 campaign pledge to “restore peace in the South Caucasus and stop the violence and ethnic cleansing,” the ANCA noted.

The ANCA also referred to the February 2026 Vice President JD Vance visit to the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan, after which he deleted his public post about that visit under pressure from Ankara. In the post to the platform formerly known as Twitter, his office noted, “Today, Vice President Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance attended a wreath laying ceremony at the Armenian Genocide memorial to honor the victims of the 1915 Armenian genocide.” That post was removed and replaced with language stripping all reference to the Armenian Genocide. The ANCA condemned the deletion as a “disgraceful surrender to Turkish pressure” that demonstrated how Ankara “never tires of ritually humiliating America.”

Trump’s non-recognition stands in opposition to the record established by his predecessor. President Joe Biden formally used the term “genocide” in his April 24 statement in 2021 and throughout his Administration. The United States first recognized the Armenian Genocide in 1951 through a submission to the International Court of Justice. President Ronald Reagan cited the Genocide in a 1981 Holocaust Remembrance statement. In 2019, both the U.S. House (H.Res.220) and Senate (S.Res.150) passed measures affirming that recognition with overwhelming bipartisan support. All 50 U.S. states have formally recognized the Armenian Genocide through resolutions or proclamations.

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