President Donald Trump officially commenced the multi-week festivities for America’s 250th anniversary on Wednesday evening by holding a rally on the National Mall. The event featured a speech by the president, military bands, a performance by singer Lee Greenwood, and an aerial display featuring various fighter jets and bombers.
The rally was organized after several musical acts withdrew from the event due to concerns regarding the potential politicization of the anniversary. Trump subsequently replaced the musical lineup with a rally format, stating his preference for his own speakers and classic music over the original performers. Freedom 250, a public-private partnership created by the president, is coordinating these events alongside America250, an organization established by Congress a decade ago.
Beyond the rally, a sixteen-day event known as the Great American State Fair is scheduled to take place on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10. The celebrations are part of a nationwide series of events, including a massive fireworks display in Washington D.C., time capsule burials in Philadelphia, and concerts in cities such as Los Angeles. Additionally, Trump has overseen various city beautification projects, including a controversial attempt to paint the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue, which faced criticism and maintenance issues after the paint began to peel.
