Trump Kicks Off US 250th Anniversary Celebrations with Self-Praise Amid Low Ratings

Donald Trump launched the U.S.'s 250th anniversary festivities in Washington with a speech that heavily emphasized his own political achievements. Addressing a crowd on the National Mall, Trump focused on his policies, referencing the Iran war, construction projects like the White House's new ballroom, and measures impacting transgender rights. He declared, "America is back," shortly before the nation's 250th Independence Day on July 4.

Trump's address often resembled a campaign rally, concluding with "We will make America great again. ... Happy birthday, America!" Many attendees wore MAGA hats and waved American flags. Cabinet members also spoke, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy calling Trump "the greatest president this country has had since George Washington."

However, Trump's self-congratulatory remarks stand in stark contrast to his consistently low approval ratings. Political scientist Daniel Treisman of UCLA noted to ABC News that Trump's priorities in his second term do not align with most voters, explaining his "unusually low approval ratings." This presents a growing challenge for his Republican party as the midterm elections approach in November.

The opening event, which Trump had hyped as "the greatest live rally of all time," proceeded despite earlier cancellations by artists like The Commodores, Bret Michaels, and Fabrice Morvan. Many cited the increasingly political nature of the event as their reason for withdrawing. Trump reportedly reacted with anger, stating, "We don't want talentless singers who lull you to sleep with their high fees - we have i."