President Trump kicked off a 16-day celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary with a political-style rally on the National Mall in Washington.
The event included a military flyover by stealth bombers, military bands, singer Lee Greenwood performing “God Bless the USA’ and a speech by Mr. Trump. It also included performances by musician Christopher Macchio and military bands.
Dubbed “The Great American State Fair,” all 50 states and U.S. territories will be represented. However, at least eight states, all led by Democrats, said they would not participate in the event. Regardless of participation, a spokesperson for the event said each state and territory will be represented.
Mr. Trump’s speech underscored how much he’s blurred the lines for the nation’s 250th birthday between official commemoration and promoting his political brand. While his remarks commemorated the nation’s founding, they also had the flair of a campaign rally.
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“As we stand on the edge of our 250th year of independence, I am thrilled to declare that America is back,” Mr. Trump said. “As you know, a short time ago, we were a dead country. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.”
“Nobody’s laughing at us anymore. Two years ago, they were laughing,” he said, referring to President Biden’s term in office. “Now we’re the most respected anywhere.”
PHOTOS: Trump launches 250th birthday celebration on Washington’s National Mall, in photos
“Where were we two years ago? We weren’t respected, we were a joke,” he said.
Since it was announced last month, the State Fair has been plagued with controversy. Nearly all of the musical acts scheduled to perform abruptly withdrew from the concert that was supposed to open up the fair. Mr. Trump quickly moved to replace the concert with the rally.
Martina McBride. Poison frontman Bret Michaels, Young MC and the Commodores were among the musicians who dropped out, saying they had concerns the event had become partisan.
In a statement last month, Ms. McBride said that the musicians were misled about the event.
“What we were told is, in fact, not what is happening,” she said.
Freedom 250, the organization that planned the fair, is a nonprofit established by Mr. Trump through an executive order in December 2025. Though Mr. Trump doesn’t head the group, he serves as the chair of the task force it falls under.
