Trump and his political prerogatives takes centre stage at weather-delayed July 4th festivities

President Trump during an America 250 Independence Day celebration at Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota, on July 3. Photo by Jesse Brown Nelson /Photographer: Jesse Brown Nelson

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President Donald Trump put himself centre stage for U.S. Independence Day celebrations on Saturday with a speech and a show that celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary and highlighted his own political priorities.

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Trump spoke after 11 p.m. (EDT) at the National Mall after thunderstorms earlier in the evening prompted the area to be cleared out of visitors and delayed the start of his remarks. He sought to sound an optimistic note about America’s future.

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“At 250 years old, we may be the oldest constitutional republic on earth, but our country is just getting started, because the best is yet to come,” he said.

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Trump has made no secret of his joy at presiding over the July 4 festivities, portraying the timing as a side benefit of winning a second term starting in 2025 — even as the Republican falsely claims he also won the 2020 election against Democrat Joe Biden.

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Celebrations were held across the U.S. to mark the 250-year milestone, which commemorates the 1776 adoption of the Declaration of Independence that separated the American colonies from Great Britain. Americans traditionally celebrate July 4 with fireworks, picnics and red, white and blue memorabilia.

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Trump visited South Dakota on Friday, where he used a speech at the Mount Rushmore monument to warn of the threat of communism after recent primary wins by Democratic Socialist candidates.

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He brought up the same theme on Saturday, declaring communism a “loser,” while also pushing for passage of a measure to restrict mail-in voting and require the use of voter identification for elections. The president, who complained about not being treated fairly by the justice system, also invited veterans to the stage.

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Trump’s speech, which ended shortly before midnight, was followed by a massive fireworks display.

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A banner of U.S. President Donald Trump, hanging from the Department of Labor building, ahead of July 4th festivities. Photo by Joe Raedle /Photographer: Joe Raedle/Getty I

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Erratic weather had reduced the crowd size on the National Mall. Organizers cancelled a parade in Washington on Saturday because of the high temperatures.

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Thousands of attendees walked for blocks in 100-degree heat earlier in the day to find an open entrance to the grassy space.

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“They’ve made it so hard. We waited in line forever just to have to be told we had to get out of line and go somewhere else. I’m so bummed out,” said Heather Sprague, 50, of Cushing, Maine, decked out in a Trump-themed cowboy hat. “Nothing is going by the plan.”

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Others said they relished a rare sign of American unity.

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“This day hopefully means unity across America, no matter who you are, what size, shape, religion, colour, I really think that this is a day to celebrate what it is to be an American,” said Rachel Gershon Rourke, a teacher from upstate New York who came to see her niece march with her school’s band at the cancelled parade.

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The July 4 holiday — and Trump’s role in it — coincide with political polarization among Americans and low approval ratings for the president. His efforts to remake Washington with pet projects — a White House ballroom, a triumphal arch and a revamped John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts — contrast with voters’ concerns about the economy.