This Saturday, July 4, President Donald Trump praised the greatness of the United States in the central speech of the celebrations for the 250 years of Independence of the country, in an appearance delayed by bad weather in which he assured that no one will be able to emulate the power of the North American nation.
“For 250 years the United States of America has been the hope, the promise, the light and the glory among all the nations of the world, throughout the planet. They try to be like us. No one can be like us,” said the president at the beginning of his speech, which began more than an hour later than planned.
The Republican thanked the crowd, made up largely of his supporters, who had to wait several hours in the middle of a heat wave to have to evacuate the premises and go through the strict security filter upon re-entry.
In the style of a political rally, Trump reiterated his warnings about the threat of communism. “We don’t want communists in our country. It has never worked,” he said, referring to the recent victories of democratic socialist candidates in the primaries ahead of the midterm elections next November.
He also took the opportunity to promote his controversial electoral reform that would toughen the requirements to register and vote in federal elections, still stalled in Congress.
“The United States is back and we want to maintain its greatness. We will achieve this by passing the ‘SAVE America’ Act, which means that all voters, everyone, absolutely everyone, must present identification and provide something called proof of citizenship, and there will be no vote by mail, except in some cases,” he insisted.
Trump wove tales of heroism and events to reflect the values of patriotism and freedom that he said make up the American spirit, while inviting veterans to the stage to salute several historic flags.
“Together we also reaffirm the truth that America’s strength and power is nothing to be ashamed of. It is something we are very, very proud of.”
Donald Trump, president of the United States
Among the flags celebrated at the event included the ensign that flew on the flagship when the US Navy sank the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay, “one of the greatest naval victories in history” that was on par with the “recent victory in sinking the entire Iranian Navy” in the recent conflict with Tehran.
In addition, he said that he would deliver a flag that flew over the Capitol that “will soon be planted by American astronauts on their next return to the Moon,” he assured.
Trump’s speech at the National Esplanade It marked the center of celebrations that have continued for weeks in the American capital and have caused controversy among his detractors, who accuse the president of politicizing a celebration that by its nature should include all Americans.
The Republican Administration created Freedom 250 to schedule alternative events to those planned by the nonpartisan organization America250, including the Great American State Fair in the capital, an event marred by a lower than expected number of attendees, a heat wave and the cancellation of dozens of artists.
Trump’s words were preceded by a huge fireworks display, the largest of its kind in Washington, with which the Government wants to establish a record but which would cause “unsanitary” conditions for portions of the city, according to National Park Service documents reviewed by The Washington Post.
Other cities such as New York or Los Angeles have celebrated the 250th anniversary of American Independence with concerts, parades, fairs and festivals, although several of these outdoor events had to be postponed or canceled due to the extreme heat wave that is suffocating the country.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2026