Trump opens America 250th with self-congratulatory speech as musicians boycott and attendance dwindles

A partisan opening

President Donald Trump launched the 250th anniversary celebrations of the United States on Wednesday evening with a speech on the National Mall that he called 'the most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen.' Rather than a historical tribute, the roughly 30-minute address delivered a condensed version of his standard campaign rally rhetoric, touching on the Iran war, his building projects in Washington, restrictions on transgender rights, and mass deportations.

America is back.

Before Trump took the stage, cabinet members praised him. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called him 'the greatest president this country has had since George Washington.' Military bands played and fighter jets flew overhead as part of what was billed as a 'patriotic opening ceremony.' The event drew a crowd that several outlets described as in the thousands, noticeably smaller than anticipated.

Artists withdraw

Trump had promised 'the biggest live rally of all time' for the launch, but multiple performers cancelled their appearances because they considered the event too politically one-sided. Among those who pulled out were The Commodores, Poison frontman Bret Michaels, and Fabrice 'Fab' Morvan. Their absence left Trump as the default main attraction for an evening originally intended to feature free concerts.

Audience and approval

Estimates of attendance ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 people, many wearing MAGA hats and waving U.S. flags. Reports described the response as more routine than euphoric. The speech avoided topics such as inflation, wage stagnation, housing costs, and long-term unemployment, despite their relevance ahead of November's midterm elections.

The president's priorities in his second term are not those of the bulk of his voter base, let alone other Americans. That explains his unusually low approval ratings.

Political backdrop

Trump's approval numbers have remained low, and the November midterms loom as a test for Republicans, who hold razor-thin majorities in both the House and the Senate. The president's agenda has included the costly renovation of the Reflecting Pool, the controversial Safe Act voting reform, and a last-minute veto threat against bipartisan affordable housing legislation. International surveys also point to declining trust in U.S. leadership, with analysts noting how strategic communication from Washington is amplifying societal divisions in Europe.

Supreme Court ruling on deportations

Separately, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the administration's move to end temporary protected status for roughly 350,000 Haitians and about 6,000 Syrians, allowing deportations to proceed. The 6-3 decision came down along ideological lines on the same day the anniversary events began.

What comes next

The celebrations continue with the Great American State Fair, which begins Thursday and runs until just after Independence Day on July 4. The programme includes rodeo shows, a car race in Washington, a planned fireworks display billed as the largest in the country's history, and additional flyovers. Trump has already announced his own appearance on July 4, urging supporters to return and celebrate with him.