Trump opens America250 festivities with National Mall rally

President Donald Trump opened weeks of events marking America’s 250th year of independence with a rally Wednesday evening on the National Mall, turning the launch of the Great American State Fair into a celebration of his presidency after several scheduled musical acts withdrew over concerns the festivities had become political.

“Tonight, as we stand on the edge of our 250th year of independence, I am thrilled to declare that America is back,” Trump told the crowd in Washington. “As you know very well, a short time ago we were a dead country. We were dead. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected by everybody. Nobody’s laughing at us any more.”

The event featured military bands, a flyover by fighter jets and stealth bombers, and performances by Lee Greenwood, whose “God Bless the USA” has long been associated with Trump rallies, and opera singer Christopher Macchio. Alexis Wilkins, the girlfriend of FBI Director Kash Patel, sang the national anthem after announcing the appearance on social media Tuesday. The Guardian reported that Wilkins rejected online speculation about nepotism, writing on X: “I was invited to sing this anthem on my own accord.”

The rally launched the Great American State Fair, a 16-day event scheduled to run from June 25 to July 10 across the National Mall between the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument. Freedom 250, a public-private partnership created by Trump, says all 56 U.S. states and territories will be represented.

The fair’s opening ceremony was originally expected to include a concert series, but performers including Martina McBride, The Commodores, Young MC and Bret Michaels pulled out, citing the event’s White House affiliation or political tone. Some artists said they had not realized the event was linked to Freedom 250. Trump later said he would headline what he called “the Greatest Rally, EVER!” and wrote on Truth Social: “We don’t want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we’ve told them all to stay home.”

America250, established by Congress a decade ago to plan nonpartisan commemorations, is organizing other anniversary events. Congress has reportedly allocated $150 million in federal funds for the birthday celebration, while the BBC reported that millions more appear to be spent by Freedom 250.

The anniversary program has raised questions about politicization. Organizers say the festivities commemorate the semiquincentennial, but some events are being funded or organized by groups aligned with Trump. The Guardian reported that some states opted out of the Great American State Fair over concerns about its political tone.

Trump also used Wednesday’s remarks to highlight Washington beautification projects, including work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The Guardian reported the project has cost about $14.1 million and has faced setbacks, including algae and a peeling polyurethane liner. Trump has said the work would fix leaks and make the pool “American flag blue.” He has blamed peeling paint on vandals, calling them “Thugs, bad people,” though The Guardian reported the administration has not offered evidence for that claim.

Other America250 events are planned in Washington and across the country. Freedom 250 is set to run the July 4 fireworks display in the capital, which the BBC reported will include more than 860,000 fireworks over about 40 minutes, far larger than a typical display of about 10,000 fireworks lasting less than 20 minutes. USA Today reported, according to the BBC, that Freedom 250 asked Pyrotecnico to beat the Philippines’ 2016 record for the largest fireworks display in history.

Beyond Washington, America250 says a ball will drop eight times in Times Square on July 4 to mark midnight in each U.S. time zone. In Philadelphia, a time capsule will be buried and sealed until 2276. In Los Angeles, America250 plans a concert at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with up to 50,000 attendees, and block parties are planned in cities including Milwaukee.

Freedom 250 has also been tied to sporting events, including a UFC event on the White House lawn that the BBC described as the first professional sporting event held at the presidential residence. The White House said UFC paid for the free, ticketed event. A federal lawsuit filed June 6 seeking to stop it failed. The Guardian reported that Freedom 250 is also planning Patriot Games, a competition for high school students with $125,000 scholarships for one male and one female champion.