WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump treated the kickoff Wednesday to the Great American State Fair as a victory lap for the U.S. — and for himself. Standing on the National Mall, Trump addressed the crowd as the nation edges toward its 250th year, declaring that America is back. He claimed that a short time ago the country was dead, but it has now become the hottest nation in the world and is respected by everyone.
The exposition is organized by Freedom 250, a nonpartisan nonprofit and public-private partnership created by Trump to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday. The 16-day event faced controversy last month when several performers, including rapper Young MC and country singer Martina McBride, canceled their appearances, citing concerns over the political nature of the Trump-backed event. Trump leveraged the cancellations to make himself the headliner, though he kept his speech to about 30 minutes, significantly shorter than his usual hour-long rallies, and remained strictly on script.
During his address, Trump emphasized expanding ambitions and expectations, stating that the best is yet to come. He was introduced by Lee Greenwood and took the opportunity to mention a recently signed memorandum to end the war in Iran. Trump asserted that they had reached a historic agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz and ensure Iran will never possess a nuclear weapon, even as final negotiations continue. The president spoke from behind bulletproof glass with the Washington Monument in the background.
The event featured military bands and fighter jet flyovers. Alexis Wilkins, girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, sang the national anthem, and the U.S. Army Band Downrange performed a rendition of “Gloria.” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy offered a partisan warmup, criticizing those who canceled on the event and calling Trump the greatest president since George Washington. Monica Crowley, the chief of protocol, also praised Trump as the greatest champion of the 250th-birthday movement.
Trump touched on cultural issues, highlighting his administration’s ban on gender-affirming care for children and the policy declaring only two genders. He also addressed the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, describing it as having been “gruesomely vandalized” by thugs. While Trump claimed he is fixing it, official reports indicate the pool has struggled with a peeling blue liner and algae growth. Six people have been arrested in connection to allegations of vandalism, and seven have been cited, according to Trump’s claims on Truth Social.
Attendees at the event, which drew more than 1,000 people, expressed mixed motivations. For many, the rally was an opportunity to support the president; others were there for the historical milestone. Edward X. Young, a 66-year-old from New Jersey, noted it was his 116th Trump rally, claiming that presidents 47 and 45—referring to Trump’s nonconsecutive terms—were the best in history. Young recalled celebrating the 50th-year bicentennial 50 years ago. Other attendees like Shannon Silveri and Mary Smith emphasized that they attended the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary regardless of who was in office, though the merchandise stands heavily featured “America Is Back” gear and Trump-related apparel. Some attendees expressed disappointment when they discovered that alcohol was not available at the food stands, despite advertisements suggesting otherwise.
