US President Donald Trump insisted he would deliver his planned speech on the National Mall “no matter what” on Saturday night, even as severe summer thunderstorms forced authorities to evacuate crowds gathered near the Washington Monument.
Organisers from Freedom 250, the group running the anniversary celebrations, said attendees would be allowed back in and confirmed Trump would speak at 11:00 p.m. ET, an hour later than scheduled. “I will be there no matter what,” Trump wrote on social media. “It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight.”
Visitors had already endured hours of waiting in 102°F (39°C) heat and heightened security checks. The record‑breaking heat wave forced the cancellation of several parades and community events across the capital. “It’s just part of the deal I signed up for,” said Glen Solander, a 60‑year‑old software engineer from South Dakota, as he waited at a checkpoint.
The day’s tensions escalated when members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front arrived in Washington, travelling on Metro trains in matching outfits. Police said they had received no reports of violence.
Trump’s decision to appear in person continues his break from tradition. Past presidents have typically avoided turning July 4 commemorations into political theatre, but Trump has blurred the line between official ceremony and campaign‑style spectacle. Freedom 250 an administration‑aligned organisation has sidelined the nonpartisan body originally established in 2016 to oversee the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Much of the 1.5‑mile National Mall has been fenced off for a sprawling “Great American State Fair”, complete with a Ferris wheel, conservative group exhibits, defence contractor displays and branded merchandise. Several Democratic‑led states declined to participate, and many scheduled performers withdrew over concerns the event had become overtly partisan. Trump opened the festivities with a rally on June 24.
Crowds were initially thin but surged in recent days, stretching entrance lines for blocks. Nearby Smithsonian museums reported near‑record sales, according to executive Frank DiGiovine. Freedom 250’s programming has also included a conservative‑leaning faith rally, multiple sports events and a mixed martial arts card held on the White House grounds for Trump’s 80th birthday. An IndyCar race is planned for August.
The organisation has also sponsored “Freedom Trucks”, which critics argue present an overly religious and sanitized version of American history, omitting issues such as slavery and racial injustice.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that most Americans including three‑quarters of Democrats and half of Republicans believe the 250th anniversary events have become too political. Trump’s broader effort to reshape Washington ahead of the milestone has produced mixed results: while many monuments and fountains have been refurbished, the $15 million renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has been plagued by peeling paint, algae growth and constant security patrols.
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