The president Donald Trump inaugurated the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States this Wednesday with a massive event at the National Mall in Washington D.C. that, far from becoming an institutional ceremony of national unity, quickly took on the tone of one of his usual campaign rallies.
Before thousands of supporters, the president blended references to the Founding Fathers with a comprehensive review of his administration, championed his key government policies, and asserted that the country is experiencing a new era of prosperity thanks to his return to the White House.
The staging was carefully designed to reinforce that image.
The event included flyovers by military aircraft - including a stealth bomber B-2 escorted by F-35 fighters - music performed by military bands, and a performance by singer Lee Greenwood with God Bless the USA, which has become the customary anthem for Trump campaigns over the years.
The speech, which lasted less than half an hour, concluded with a promise to address his supporters again on the upcoming July 4th, Independence Day.
A celebration transformed into a political claim
Trump began by recalling American independence in 1776, but soon shifted the focus to his own administration.
"Now that we are on the doorstep of our 250th year of independence, I am excited to state that the United States has returned.", he stated.
From that moment on, he presented the last months of his government as a new revolution comparable to that led by the founders of the country.
"Just like those patriots of 1776, over the past 17 months we have regained the power that was in the hands of a distant political class. We have reclaimed our sovereignty, won back our freedom, restored our prosperity, and saved our country. In all of this, we have put America first again," he added.
He also proclaimed the beginning of a new historical era for the United States.
"We are the ones who keep the light of Western civilization alive, for this is the true beginning of the Golden Age of the United States. We will leave our children nothing less than the richest legacy, the most advanced civilization, and the highest standard of living in the history of humanity. The best is yet to come!", he noted.
The tone of the speech reinforced the criticisms of those who believe that Trump has turned the 250th anniversary celebrations into a glorification of himself.
Border, economy, and Iran as the axes of the discourse
The president took the opportunity during the event to reaffirm practically all the major policies of his second term.
Regarding immigration, he claimed that he inherited "the worst, most dangerous, and uncontrolled border in history" and stated that he has turned it into "the strongest and safest" in the country.
"During the last 13 months, no illegal immigrant has been admitted to the United States," he emphasized.
In economic matters, he reiterated his defense of the so-called "Great and Beautiful Law," even comparing it to the ideals of the American Revolution.
"In the American Revolution, they had a motto: 'No taxation without representation.' But with the Great and Beautiful Law, we achieved something even better: we eliminated taxes on tips, on overtime, and on Social Security benefits for our beloved seniors," he stated.
Trump also highlighted the recent agreement reached after the war with Iran as one of the main successes of his administration.
"Last week we signed a historic agreement to end the conflict with Iran, fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and achieve what no president had accomplished before: Iran will never have a nuclear weapon", he said.
His statements coincided with the Senate's approval, by 50 votes to 48, of a resolution that requires him to seek formal authorization from Congress to maintain military operations related to that conflict.
A stage setup typical of a rally
The atmosphere felt more like an electoral event than an official commemoration.
Thousands of attendees arrived wearing red Make America Great Again hats, American flags, and shirts in support of the president.
At the National Mall, the so-called Great American State Fair was set up, featuring attractions, food stalls, and a large Ferris wheel.
Trump appeared shielded behind a bulletproof glass panel while large screens displayed the slogan Freedom 250.
For a good part of the day, the usual campaign music played, and the leader received a lengthy ovation before beginning his speech.
Artists withdrew from the event
The celebration was surrounded by controversy weeks in advance.
Several artists initially announced - Young MC, Martina McBride, The Commodores, Morris Day & The Time, and Bret Michaels - canceled their participation, believing that the event had taken on a political character related to the president.
Far from moderating his tone, Trump chose to personally take center stage at the event.
The Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, was one of the few invited to the stage and went so far as to claim that Trump is "the best president since George Washington."
The contrast with the bicentennial of 1976
One of the most discussed aspects by analysts was the difference compared to the celebrations of the United States' bicentennial.
In 1976, then-President Gerald Ford avoided using official events for partisan purposes.
His advisor David Gergen explicitly recommended that the ceremonies not include campaign messages, aiming to turn the anniversary into a space for national unity.
Half a century later, Trump has chosen a completely different path, transforming the inaugural address into a defense of his administration and his political project in the lead-up to the legislative elections in November.
Critiques from the opposition
Criticism from the Democratic Party came swiftly.
"While Americans gather to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, Donald Trump is doing what he does best: splurging money on extravagant themed events, forcing Americans to foot the bill," stated Ken Martin, president of the Democratic National Committee.
Other Democratic leaders argue that the president is attempting to turn the historical commemoration into a personal tribute, an accusation strengthened by projects such as the renovation of the Reflecting Pool, the construction of a large ballroom at the White House, and the proposal to erect a massive monumental arch for the anniversary.
A complicated political context
The celebration arrives at a delicate moment for Trump. Various polls place Trump's approval rating between 34% and 37%, affected by inflation, the rising cost of living, and the political consequences of the war with Iran.
With the midterm elections scheduled for November, various analysts believe that the president is looking to use the celebrations of the 250th anniversary as a platform to mobilize his electoral base.
Before saying goodbye, Trump confirmed that he will address his supporters again on July 4 at the National Mall.
"Your favorite president will speak," he announced.
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