- US President Donald Trump hailed America on its 250th birthday Saturday as the 'crowning achievement' of human history, even as he used the event to renew his attack on domestic opponents he branded communists.
- In a speech delayed by several hours due to storms, Trump claimed that under his presidency the United States was 'prouder than ever before.'
- Trump told tens of thousands of people on the National Mall, 'For two and a half centuries, our American republic has stood as the crowning achievement of human history.'
- He also hailed veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, framing the latter two as examples of the battle against communists.
- Trump stated, 'Our warriors did not fight communism on battlefields across the world, only to have that menace rear its ugly head right back here in America.'
- He boasted of recent military campaigns against Iran and Venezuela, claiming Washington had 'wiped out' Tehran's military.
- Trump emphasized his determination to deliver the speech, stating he would have spoken 'in front of one person at four o’clock in the morning' if necessary.
- He declared, 'America is a nation of winners. Today our country is winning again.'
- The speech was accompanied by a fireworks display billed as the largest in world history to mark the occasion.
President Donald Trump celebrated the United States' 250th anniversary on Saturday, calling it the 'crowning achievement' of human history. Speaking to tens of thousands on the National Mall, he declared, 'America is a nation of winners' and promised a 'golden age of America' while attacking 'communists' as domestic threats.148
The speech, delayed by severe weather, saw Trump assert that under his leadership, the nation is 'prouder than ever before'. He highlighted military successes against Iran and Venezuela, stating, 'we wiped out Tehran's military'. Trump also referenced the sacrifices of veterans from World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, framing their battles against communism as ongoing struggles within the U.S.26
Despite the celebratory tone, a Quinnipiac University Poll revealed that 61 percent of Americans believe the U.S. is not living up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. Trump's rhetoric has increasingly painted progressive Democrats as a 'communist menace', a theme he reiterated during the event, insisting that such ideologies would not be allowed to 'rear their ugly head' in America.
The event was marred by weather disruptions, with emergency services treating 51 people for heat-related issues. Nevertheless, Trump emphasized resilience, telling the crowd, 'You heard it was over. And what happened? You came back.'
“Storm delays forced a two-hour evacuation of the National Mall, but Trump insisted on proceeding, comparing himself to D-Day veterans. Extreme heat caused 51 people to be treated and 12 hospitalized, while a Quinnipiac poll showed 61% of Americans think the US fails to live up to its ideals.”
The Guardian
