Trump kicks off America’s 250th celebration with campaign-style rally | Washington DC

Donald Trump kicked off what was planned to be a “magnificent birthday party” for the 250th anniversary of America’s independence with a political rally declaring his presidency.

“I’m thrilled to announce that America is back,” Trump said at the opening ceremony of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, DC. “As you know very well, not long ago we were a dead country. We were dead. Now we are the warmest country in the world. Everyone respects us. Nobody laughs at us anymore.”

He reeled off a list of what he described as victories, including a preliminary agreement to end the conflict with Iran, a crackdown on immigration and a tax bill. Recalling the purpose of the event, he said, “There was a saying in the American Revolution that there would be no tax on tea. But we did even better with the Great Big Beautiful Bill.”

He also boasted about projects he was spearheading around Washington to beautify the city ahead of the independence anniversary, including a project to turn the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool “American flag blue” for the celebrations. The renovation cost approximately $14.1 million, as the pool faced problems such as algae growth and peeling of the polyurethane liner.

Trump repeated his claim that the administration had provided no evidence that this robbery was done by vandals: “Bandits, bad people.”

Before the remarks, attendees gathered on the national mall and waved star-spangled flags as the U.S. marine marching band energized.

Popular musical acts including the Commodores, Martina McBride and Young MC were announced to be headlining the opening ceremony, but they and other artists withdrew from the event, citing the event’s political overtones. Some states have also opted out of participating in the Great American State Fair due to similar concerns.

He was replaced by opera singer Christopher Macchio and country musician Lee Greenwood, whose 1984 single God Bless the USA has been the soundtrack to Maga rallies for years.

Alexis Wilkins, girlfriend of FBI director Kash Patel, sang the national anthem. Announcing her performance in a social media post on Tuesday, Wilkins dismissed online speculation that nepotism influenced her appearance. “I was invited to sing this anthem of my own accord,” he wrote to X.

America’s 250th birthday is a milestone, a time for the nation to rededicate itself to patriotism and faith, Trump said. However, while the events were initially touted as a non-partisan and non-political event, most of the planned celebrations turned into Maga-themed events. Those programs include Make America Healthy Again on Mondays and an Independence Day celebration that will feature a campaign-style rally hosted by Trump.

The National Mall also served as the backdrop for another event celebrating the 250th anniversary of America’s independence; This was a UFC fight that raised ethical concerns about the optics of a nonprofit company taking over a public space.

Freedom 250 is also planned to host another sporting event called the Patriot Games. High school students will compete in physical and mental challenges. One male and one female champion will be awarded scholarship funds of $125,000.

The celebrations come at a time when the Trump administration has faced criticism for supporting “revisionist” history. Early in his second term, the president signed an executive order to purge the nation’s public monuments of “ideological brainwashing.” Materials referencing slavery, indigenous peoples and the climate crisis have been removed from the parks, but a judge recently ordered the administration to reinstate them.