In Des Moines, Iowa, President Donald Trump turned a celebration for America’s 250th birthday into a personal rally, soaking in the support of a crowd Thursday evening following Congress’ approval of tax cut legislation.
On the cusp of the July 4th festivities, Trump heralded the legislation as a major win for the nation, calling it “a phenomenal victory just hours ago, when Congress passed the one big beautiful bill to make America great again.”
The President intends to sign the bill during a White House picnic on Friday, alongside a symbolic display of military might with stealth bombers and fighter jets that have recently been active in Iran. This moment underscores the power he’s employed to transform Washington and reshape the country.
“We’ve saved our country,” he proclaimed to supporters while Lee Greenwood’s anthem “God Bless the USA” played. The legislation not only includes tax cuts but also increases funding for deportations and reduces support for healthcare and food assistance programs for low-income individuals.
This occasion marked the start of a yearlong celebration for the two and a half centuries of American independence, culminating in a large fair on the National Mall in Washington next summer featuring statewide exhibits.
Organizers hope that these events will bridge political divides and unify a polarized nation. Yet, Trump’s speech left no doubt that he sees patriotism as intertwined with his political goals, criticizing Democrats who opposed his legislation as hating America.
Monica Crowley, America’s Ambassador and Trump’s link to the planning group America250, mentioned that the anniversary events should be a unifying celebration for all Americans, honoring the past, present, and future.
Nonetheless, Crowley praised Trump, equating him with the revolutionary spirit of America’s founders, stating, “He is literally fulfilling the entire job description, and so much more.”
A crowd of thousands waited in blazing heat donning Trump merchandise, eagerly anticipating his appearance. They sported “Make America Great Again” hats, “Ultra MAGA” shirts, and even a stuffed monkey adorned in a miniature Trump-themed outfit.
During his address, fireworks could be heard, prompting Trump to reference the failed assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last year, jokingly remarking, “It’s only fireworks, I hope.”
Speaking behind bulletproof glass—a new precaution since the incident—he maintained optimism in his remarks, despite the reminder of that grim chapter. The occasion didn’t dampen his spirits, as he continued to tout recent actions and victories.
His accomplishments included military strikes against Iran, decreasing egg prices, reduced migrant crossings at the Mexican border, and political triumphs, adding that his current term outshines his first.
Trump also expressed pride in calling Melania “first lady,” as it reinforces his presidential status, and suggested that his presidency’s timing coinciding with the nation’s milestone is remarkably fortunate. Despite losing his initial re-election, an outcome he still challenges, this sequence allowed him to host the 250th anniversary festivities.
He has vowed to organize an extraordinary series of celebrations and announced the “Patriot Games,” featuring athletic contests showcasing high school talent across the U.S. Additionally, he floated the idea of hosting UFC matches at the White House.
Recent polling showed a stark partisan divide in American patriotism, with only about a third of Democrats expressing pride in being American versus about nine in ten Republicans. Concurrently, an AP-NORC poll in June reflected that roughly 40% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s presidency, while around 60% disapprove.
However, the Trump administration’s budget cuts may impede the planned celebrations. Reduced funding led the National Endowment for the Humanities to halt federal grants to state humanities councils, many of which were working on 250th-anniversary programs.
Gabrielle Lyon, the executive director of Illinois Humanities and head of the Illinois America 250 Commission, noted that these cuts have already forced the scaling back of planned activities, such as community readings of the Declaration of Independence.
Lyon remarked, “It is very hard to understand how we can protect and preserve people’s ability locally to make this mean something for them, and to celebrate what they want to celebrate, if you’re not funding the humanities councils.”