Trump touts US greatness, warns against communists on 250th anniversary amid fireworks and storm

Donald Trump marked the United States' 250th anniversary with a speech in Washington, portraying the nation as a divinely chosen leader on the world stage. He avoided his usual attacks on critical media or "fallen states," but reiterated his comparisons of "communists" to a "cancerous growth," warning that "America will never be a communist country."

Trump, who faces potential midterm election losses for Republicans, used the Independence Day celebration as a campaign rally. Between honoring veterans, he promoted his "Save America Act," a proposed election reform law stalled in Congress, and boasted about his alleged political achievements. The speech concluded with a massive fireworks display, featuring 850,000 pyrotechnic effects over 35 minutes, which organizers billed as the largest ever.

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America will never be a communist country. That will not happen.

The festivities were marred by severe weather. Washington endured nearly 40-degree Celsius heat for days, followed by thunderstorms. A severe weather warning forced the temporary evacuation of the venue, sending thousands of attendees scrambling to leave the event grounds. Several artists had previously canceled performances, citing the events as too politically charged. Trump responded by announcing he would provide "the number one attraction in the world" himself.

Trump has been using the 250th anniversary to promote himself and his successes amid declining approval ratings, partly due to the Iran war. The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the 13 American colonies on July 4, 1776, marking the birth of the USA.

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The United States of America have been the hope, the promise, the light and the glory among all the nations of the world, on the entire planet. They try to be like us. Nobody can be like us.