Feb 11 • 14:45 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Guardian

White House deletes JD Vance’s social media post referring to Armenian genocide

The White House deleted a post by Vice President JD Vance that referred to the Armenian genocide, inciting backlash from the Armenian community and political opposition in the US.

The White House recently deleted a social media post by Vice President JD Vance that referred to the Armenian genocide during his visit to Armenia, sparking outrage among members of the Armenian diaspora and several opposition politicians in the United States. The post was made as part of Vance's acknowledgment of the memorial for the victims of the genocide, estimated to be around 1.5 million Armenians killed by Ottoman troops over a century ago. This incident marks a notable moment, as it was the first time the Trump administration explicitly used the term 'genocide' in relation to these historical events.

Vance's aides later clarified that the post was made by staff who were not accompanying him on the trip and was posted in error. This explanation follows another incident in the past week where the administration attributed a different post to a staff error, raising questions about the management and control of social media communications from high-ranking officials. The deletion of the post not only reflects the sensitive nature of discussing the Armenian genocide but also highlights the complex political ramifications within the United States, particularly in relation to the Armenian community's fight for recognition and justice regarding their historical grievances.

The backlash from the Armenian community and political figures transforms this episode into a significant matter of national importance. It underscores the ongoing struggle for acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide in both political and social spheres within the United States. This incident reflects larger themes of historical memory, accountability, and the roles that political leaders play in addressing past atrocities, which can resonate well beyond the immediate incident, affecting international relationships and domestic politics.

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