Published on 6/25/2026
US President Donald Trump launched the 16-day celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, with a public speech that turned the occasion into a review of the achievements of his second term.
Trump began the celebrations with a speech he delivered – yesterday, Wednesday – at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the content of which sparked criticism and accusations of him turning this national anniversary into an occasion to showcase his political perspective, and mixing official celebrations with an election speech before the midterm elections.
In his speech, the American President touched on the great achievements in American history, and reiterated a phrase that was repeated often in his speeches, as he said, “As we approach the 250th anniversary of independence, I say with enthusiasm that America is back.” He continued, “As you know well, a short time ago we were a dead country. We were dead, and today we have become the most attractive country in the world,” as he put it.
At the beginning of his speech, Trump also touched on the Middle East, describing the American-Israeli war on Iran – which received criticism from all sides – as a great victory for the Americans. Then he stressed that the American forces’ arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was “one of the greatest military operations in history.”
On the domestic front, the US President praised what he described as a prosperous economy, attacking the tallies of his predecessor, Joe Biden, which he said represented a “major disaster,” and claiming that domestic investments amounted to $19 trillion, a total even greater than the numbers presented by his administration.
The speech served as an opening for the launch of the “Great American State Fair”, a festival that celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and includes patriotic display pavilions, low-altitude military air shows, and musical performances.
“golden age”
The exhibition, which continues until July 10, includes pavilions representing the fifty states and six territories of the United States on the National Mall extending from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. The exhibition also presents local dishes, cultural and military displays.
Trump’s opponents believe that the anniversary of the founding of a republic out of a revolution that overthrew the monarchy turned – in turn – into an occasion to showcase the achievements of a president who likes to be in the spotlight.
Trump pledged a new “golden age” in the United States, saying he was the president who restored the country’s strength after years of decline.
Despite the high level of politicization of the event following the withdrawal of artists from its activities denouncing the occasion’s partisan nature, Trump positioned himself as the main figure in the ceremony, declaring that he could attract a larger audience than Elvis Presley’s fans, and promising musical works that would meet the tastes of his supporters.
The list of artists whose songs were chosen to commemorate the celebrations included singer Lee Greenwood, whose song “Good Place the USA” (God Bless the United States) resonated at all Trump rallies, as well as opera singer Christopher Macchio and military bands.
This event comes during a difficult period for the American President, who is trying to get rid of the burden of war with Iran, and touting to voters his achievements in the areas of economy, immigration, and national security in preparation for the midterm elections that the country will witness next November.
