US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) commemorated the 250th birthday celebrations despite thunderstorms forcing attendees to evacuate the National Mall.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) commemorated the 250th birthday celebrations despite thunderstorms forcing attendees to evacuate the National Mall.
Commencing his speech, Trump recognised the challenges posed by the weather this evening. Addressing the waiting crowd, he said, “If you think that was easy, it wasn’t.” He added, “I want to thank everybody, because they did the right thing. They saw lightning, and I said, ‘There’s no way. If we have to speak in front of one person at 4 o’clock in the morning, I’m going to be here. There’s no way we can be deterred.”
Quick answers to key questions
The celebrations featured parades, flyovers, fireworks, and a speech by President Trump on the National Mall, despite severe thunderstorms disrupting some activities.
Trump highlighted America’s achievements, such as war victories and the lunar landing, to instill pride in the nation and to showcase the United States as a beacon of hope among nations.
Severe thunderstorms forced over 10,000 attendees at the National Mall to evacuate, leading to delays and adjustments in the planned events for the 250th birthday celebration.
Trump described communism as a ‘loser’ and a ‘mortal threat to American liberty,’ urging immediate action to prevent its influence in the U.S.
Yes, Trump asserted that Americans should take pride in their country’s strength and accomplishments, emphasizing that the U.S. is unparalleled in its freedoms and achievements.
During his speech, he also lauded several American achievements, including war victories, the lunar landing, and the Wright brothers’ pioneering flight, along with the country’s system of government in general, Reuters reported. He also urged Congress to pass stalled bills that would restrict mail ballots and require citizenship proof to register to vote. The US President also said he “wiped out” Iran’s military.
Trump commemorates Fourth of July celebrations
Trump, who took the stage shortly after 11 pm (local time), over an hour after he was scheduled to begin his address, reminded Americans that their strength and power are not something to be ashamed of; rather, it is something that the country is very proud of, the Washington Post reported.
He went on to say, “For 250 years, the United States has been the hope, the promise, the light and the glory among all of the nations in the world; all over the world nobody can be like us.”
Trump mentions ‘communism’ in his speech
During his speech, the US President also mentioned ‘communism’, and contrasted America’s “freedoms” with the “talks from communists” that he said threaten them. He added, “Communism is a loser, and it always will be. The communist system is the opposite of the American system, and the communist system has never worked.” He went on to say that a threat like communism must be stopped immediately, “and before it begins, it’s like a cancer, you got to cut it out, you got to cut it out fast.”
He noted, “Won’t happen, and all these talks from the communists, they haven’t got a chance, not even a chance. We don’t want communists in our country — never worked, and it never will work.”
The US President said that Washington’s history serves as a reminder that the country would never let anyone take their freedom away. He further listed several freedoms that Americans are promised under the US Constitution and said, “Unlike so many others in the world, in this country we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equal justice under the law.”
His mention of communism came a day after he warned during his address at Mount Rushmore that the country is under a threat from a “communist menace,” NBC News reported.
Former Presidents slam Trump administration
Before Trump’s address, former US Presidents, including Democrats Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Republican President George Bush, called out his administration’s policies on immigration and its handling of the war in Iran.
Clinton, who referred to the current administration, accused “the people in charge.” He added, “Today, we celebrate this milestone amid another period of deep division, renewed questions about America’s future and role in the world, and serious threats to our own institutions and to our democracy itself.”
About the Author
Swati Gandhi
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.
Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.
At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.
Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
