Adverse weather conditions delayed the start of the speech by U.S. President Donald Trump at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of the celebrations marking the United States’ national anniversary and 250 years since the country’s Declaration of Independence. “I want to thank everyone for doing the right thing. They saw the lightning and I said (…) if I have to speak in front of one person at 4 in the morning, I’ll be here. There’s no way they’re going to stop us,” Trump declared, as the gathered crowd erupted in cheers.
Shortly before, authorities had evacuated citizens who had gathered at the National Mall — where the centerpiece of the Fourth of July celebrations was set to take place — due to the threat of a thunderstorm, urging them to seek shelter in nearby museums and government buildings. Authorities ultimately allowed the crowd to return, and the U.S. president’s speech began at 11:15 p.m. local time (6:15 a.m. Greek time). The celebrations concluded with a spectacular show featuring nearly 850,000 fireworks.
“Here at the National Mall, we celebrate the triumph of freedom over tyranny, the victory of liberty over oppression, and the enduring victory of the American spirit from July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2026,” Trump said in his speech, extolling American ideals, while also presenting one of the earliest American flags. “It dates back to 1777 and bears the 13 stars and 13 stripes of the 13 states that declared Independence on July 4th,” he explained.
Trump: “Communism is a loser and always will be”
The U.S. president once again took aim at communism — a recurring theme in the speeches he has delivered throughout the events marking America’s 250th anniversary. “Communism is a loser and always will be,” he remarked. “Our warriors did not fight against communism on battlefields around the world just so that threat could show up here in America,” he added.
In his speech Friday night at Mount Rushmore, Trump had stated: “We are determined and committed to everyone that the citizens of the United States will quickly defeat communism (…) We will drive them out quickly and continue to build our country bigger and better, stronger than ever. America will never become a communist country!”
Trump has been increasingly turning to this kind of rhetoric as the November midterm elections approach, with Republicans growing concerned that the president’s low approval ratings could cost them control of Congress.
Four progressive candidates — including three members of the Democratic Party’s left wing — won their party’s primary elections in New York City last week and in Colorado on Tuesday. Progressive candidates have also notched victories in Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
SAVE America Act
The U.S. president also addressed in his speech the legislation known as the “SAVE America Act,” which he is championing and which calls for changes to the way federal elections are conducted.
“Today our country is winning again, and we are winning like never before. America is back, and we want to keep America great — and we will do so by passing the SAVE America Act, which means all voters must show voter ID (…) all voters will have to show a little thing called proof of citizenship,” he said.
