Trump Hosts Greek Independence Day Reception at White House, Hails Ancient Greece as Inspiration for American Democracy

President Donald Trump welcomed leaders of the Greek-American community to the White House this week for a reception marking Greece's Independence Day, declaring that the United States owes ancient Greece a profound debt and singling out Greek-Americans in his administration and Congress for praise. "We owe the Greeks so much," Mr. Trump told guests assembled in the White House. "Today we celebrate friendship with Greece and cooperation with the Americans who want to make America great again." He said he "wouldn't have missed this event for anything" and credited ancient Greece with deeply inspiring the nation's founders. The U.S. Army band opened the celebration with Greek music and dances before Mr. Trump took the podium, where he called out Greek-American officials by name — including Michael Kratsios, Deputy Secretary of State Michael Rigas, Representative Nicole Malliotakis and Representative Gus Bilirakis — citing their contributions to American public life. He also welcomed Greek Ambassador Alexandridis and Cyprus Ambassador Savva, and brought businessman John Catsimatidis to the stage, quipping that he "loves the spotlight." "I love Greek architecture, but even more I love the Greek community," Mr. Trump said, specifically referencing the Greek presence in Astoria, Queens, and praising the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero, destroyed in the September 11 attacks. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America called the reception "a special honor" for the Greek-American community and described the event as strengthening a strategic alliance between the two countries spanning defense, energy, and shipping. He thanked Mr. Trump for raising the reopening of the Halki Theological Seminary in Turkey with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and for his support on the Cyprus question. The Archbishop closed with a prayer from the Orthodox tradition attributed to St. Basil the Great, inviting those present to join him, and offered a blessing for "our pious and faithful President." Also in attendance were Kimberly Guilfoyle — the U.S. Ambassador to Greece — with her son Ronan, and businessman Christos Marafatsos, whose name Mr. Trump jokingly congratulated himself for pronouncing correctly. The reception concluded with Mr. Trump signing the presidential proclamation designating March 25 as the National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy, which he had announced the previous day. Διαβάστε περισσότερα στο iefimerida.gr

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