USA celebrates 250 years of independence

President Trump mixes patriotism with partisanship as he celebrates 250th anniversary at huge Washington DC event

President Donald Trump mixed partisan politics with patriotic appeals on Saturday as he commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time”.

Speaking in Washington after storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall, Mr Trump honoured veterans, including several from the Second World War and one of the first black officers to lead a special forces team in combat in Vietnam.

They appeared before flags that symbolised some of the most significant and challenging moments in American history, from the one draped over Abraham Lincoln’s casket to the one which flew on the plane piloted by the Wright Brothers.

Mr Trump also leaned into partisan territory unusual for an Independence Day address, which presidents typically use as a moment to unify the country.

He stumped again for the SAVE America Act, an elections bill encountering challenges even from the president’s fellow Republicans in Congress, highlighted his support for the Second Amendment and revived denunciations of communism, which are becoming an increasingly central part of his message ahead of the November midterms.

The speech capped a holiday that Mr Trump has gone to great lengths to shape to his own tastes.

He was introduced by two musical performers who often appear at his rallies, including Lee Greenwood, who performed God Bless America. The event organisers were largely aligned with the White House, supplanting a bipartisan organisation launched by Congress a decade ago.

“We will always be on top,” Mr Trump said. “We will never let our country fall. We will always be the best.”

Anticipation for the milestone holiday has been building for much of the year, serving as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their complicated history as one-time colonists of an empire who became a superpower of their own.

Organisers of celebrations months in the making had to adjust or cancel activities entirely as much of the east coast sweltered under heat that approached and, in many cases, surpassed triple digits.

Severe weather prompted the cancellation of celebrations in Hartford, Connecticut, along with Harrisburg and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Spectators at Boston’s fireworks and concert were told to briefly seek shelter before events resumed. An evacuation was also ordered in Philadelphia.

New York and Pittsburgh moved forward with fireworks, but shifted the time to accommodate the shifting weather.

The disruption was particularly acute in Washington, where signs at the Great American State Fair posted an alert shortly after 7pm local time encouraging participants to leave the area.

Published: 05/07/2026 by Radio NewsHub