Trump turns 250th US anniversary into anti-communist rally as storms and heat wave disrupt celebrations
President Donald Trump used the 250th anniversary of US independence to deliver divisive speeches warning of a 'deadly threat' from communism, while a severe thunderstorm delayed his Washington rally and a heat wave forced cancellations across the East Coast.
Patriotic opening at Mount Rushmore
On July 3, Trump kicked off the celebrations at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial in South Dakota, calling the United States "the freest people in the world" with "the most just and enduring Constitution." He framed the founding as a unique event and warned against attempts to alter the country's exceptional character.
The speech included military flyovers and tributes to the Armed Forces, and Trump tied his message to the Second Amendment, declaring, "We saved your Second Amendment and I will continue to do so."This country is not the norm, it is the exception. It is rare, precious, and miraculous.
Anti-communist rhetoric escalates
Trump's speeches were dominated by a stark anti-communist message. At Mount Rushmore, he called communism "a deadly threat to American freedom" and "the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or even 9/11." He described it as "death, tyranny, and pursuit of evil." The following night in Washington, he told supporters,
He compared the ideology to cancer, saying, "We have to stop a threat like this immediately and before it starts. Like a cancer, we have to cut it out first." Trump also invoked Cold War imagery, stating that "the stars and stripes threw the hammer and sickle into oblivion before, and will do so again if necessary," though he added he believed such measures would not be needed.We don't want communists in our country. It never worked and never will.
Weather disruptions on the East Coast
The July 4 celebrations were hit by extreme weather. A heat wave pushed temperatures above 40°C along the East Coast, affecting an estimated 160 million people. Many cities canceled or shortened traditional parades. In Washington, a severe thunderstorm warning forced the temporary evacuation of the National Mall, delaying Trump's evening speech by about two and a half hours. Despite the disruption, Trump praised the crowd's resilience, saying,
He estimated that 150,000 people remained at the site. The president also promised the world's largest fireworks display, with 850,000 rockets over 40 minutes.Lightning will never stop you.
Political context and midterm elections
The anti-communist rhetoric comes as Trump campaigns ahead of November's midterm elections. In recent weeks, progressive candidates have won Democratic primaries in several states, including four in New York and Colorado, three of whom are democratic socialists. Trump has sought to portray these left-wing figures as an existential threat, echoing the Red Scare tactics of the 1950s. Analysts noted that his speeches departed from the traditionally unifying tone of past Independence Day addresses by presidents like Gerald Ford or Ronald Reagan.
- Trump opens celebrations at Mount Rushmore, calls US 'freest and strongest' and warns of communist threat.
- Heat wave forces cancellations of parades across East Coast; 160 million affected.
- Severe thunderstorm warning prompts evacuation of National Mall.
- Trump delivers delayed speech, attacks communism, promises largest fireworks display.
- Fireworks display with 850,000 rockets over 40 minutes.
