Trump uses 250th July 4 to tout American exceptionalism as poll reveals record-low pride

Trump's anniversary speeches

On July 3, the eve of Independence Day, Trump spoke at Mount Rushmore, calling the current era a new "golden age" and framing the anniversary as a cultural battle. "Communism is a deadly threat to American freedom," he said, standing before the carved faces of Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and Lincoln. The next day in Washington, after rain, extreme heat and a temporary evacuation of the National Mall delayed the event, Trump insisted he would speak "no matter what." He told the crowd, "Nobody can be like us," reaffirming the idea of American exceptionalism. Vice President J.D. Vance, speaking at the Sail4th 250 event in New York, urged the country to look to the future "without fear" and to feel proud of its history.

A divided public

A Gallup poll released around the anniversary found that only 33% of Americans say they are proud to be American, the lowest figure on record. The partisan gap is stark: 70% of Republicans express pride, compared with just 14% of Democrats. Only one quarter of respondents believe in American exceptionalism, and 40% think the country will disintegrate sooner or later. The survey reflects a mood of decline that contrasts with the celebratory rhetoric from the White House.

Supreme Court rulings

Days before the anniversary, on June 30, the Supreme Court issued two significant rulings. One blocked Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship, a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, described citizenship as "the right to have rights," tracing its origins to the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The other ruling reinforced presidential powers over independent agencies that had previously answered only to Congress. Roberts invoked the founders' decision to vest executive power in a single person, noting that some delegates at the Constitutional Convention feared it would become "the germ of monarchy."

Citizenship, then and now, was the right to have rights: to participate freely in our political community.

Historical echoes

The anniversary prompted comparisons with past empires and critiques of the Constitution. Historian Charles Beard argued over a century ago that the Constitution was designed by wealthy elites to protect their financial interests. British historian John Bagot Glubb claimed in 1977 that empires decline every quarter millennium. Some commentators drew parallels between Trump and Julius Caesar, noting how polarization and distrust of elites can erode republican institutions. Yet, as one article noted, Rome lacked a written constitution, an independent judiciary, mass elections, free media, and a professional military subordinate to civilian control. Benjamin Franklin, writing in 1780, regretted being born too soon to witness the full extent of scientific progress.