Trump launches US 250th anniversary celebrations with campaign-style rally on National Mall
President Donald Trump opened the two-week 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States with a speech on the National Mall that focused heavily on his own record, from the Iran war to mass deportations, while dismissing boycotting artists and facing persistently low approval ratings.
The speech on the National Mall
President Donald Trump officially launched the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States on Wednesday evening, addressing supporters on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The event featured military bands playing US hits and fighter jets flying over the capital. Trump’s roughly half-hour speech, delivered in a freewheeling style, repeatedly returned to his own policies and achievements rather than the nation’s history.
The United States are young compared to some other countries, but superior to any nation ever founded.
He touted the framework agreement with Tehran, which he said he had secured after a “little trip to Iran” (his term for the war), and claimed that oil prices were now falling as a result. Trump also defended his mass deportations of migrants, saying his administration was removing “murderers, gang members, drug dealers and dangerous criminals by the thousands.” He praised his planned construction projects in the capital, mentioning a new ballroom next to the White House in the same breath as the Statue of Liberty. The speech ended with his signature slogan “Make America Great Again” and Trump dancing to the song “Y.M.C.A.”
Cabinet praise and political context
Before Trump spoke, several cabinet members addressed the crowd. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called Trump “the greatest president this country has had since George Washington.” The remarks stood in contrast to the president’s approval ratings, which have been poor for some time.
Trump’s priorities in his second term are not those of the majority of his voter base, let alone other Americans. That explains his unusually low approval ratings.
Treisman, a political scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, told ABC News that the disconnect between Trump’s agenda and public concerns is becoming a problem for Republicans as the important midterm elections in November draw closer.
Artist cancellations and Trump’s response
Trump had billed the opening event as the “greatest live rally of all time,” but several artists had already withdrawn from a planned concert series. The Commodores, Poison frontman Bret Michaels, and Fabrice “Fab” Morvan of the former pop duo Milli Vanilli all canceled, citing the event’s political nature. Trump reacted angrily on his Truth Social platform earlier this month.
We don’t want talentless singers who lull you to sleep with their high fees — we told them all to stay home. All we want is you, me, a few speakers and the greatest music ever played.
Country musician Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the USA” immediately before Trump’s speech, a song regularly played at his campaign events.
The celebrations ahead
The opening rally kicks off a multi-week public festival in Washington that will culminate on July 4 with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Trump is expected to deliver another speech on that date.
