Backpedaling or political calculation? Tracing Trump’s message

U.S. President Donald Trump refrained from using the term genocide, even though former President Joe Biden officially recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2021, employing the term in his April 24th message.

In his statement marking the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, Trump said the Meds Yeghern is remembered and the memory of those who suffered in one of the 20th century’s most horrific tragedies is honored.

Except for Biden, previous U.S. presidents also avoided using the word genocide, despite campaign promises—likely for the same reason: to avoid straining ties with NATO ally Turkey.

But when the leader of the United States, which has already officially recognized the Armenian Genocide, avoids the term—does that signal backpedaling, expediency, or a calculated diplomatic move?