Trump kicks off the Great American State Fair celebrating America 250: ‘America is back!’
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
President Donald Trump kicked off the Great American State Fair on Wednesday evening by praising America’s achievements under his leadership and compared his political movement to the American Revolution during remarks on the National Mall.
“Like those people of 1776, 17 months ago, we took power from the farthest reaches of politics,” Trump told a crowd gathered in the nation’s capital for the inauguration. “They’re trying to get it back, but it’s not going to happen. We’ve got our sovereignty back, we’ve got our freedom back, we’ve got our prosperity back, and we’ve saved our country from everything. We’re putting something called America first again.”
Trump walked out to Lee Greenwood singing “God Bless the USA” as part of the opening ceremony for the 250th anniversary celebrations. The president’s remarks were preceded by military flyovers, including B-2 bombers and F-35 stealth fighter jets, as well as remarks by members of Trump’s Cabinet and music by the US Marine Band.
TRUMP ADMIN UNVEILS 11-FOOT-TALL, AI-DIYED AI-DIYED TEST NUCLEAR CAR AT GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR
“America is back,” Trump told the roaring crowd. “We are the hottest country in the world. We are respected by everyone. No one laughs at us anymore.”
Attendees hold American flag posters during the Great American State Fair Kickoff Celebration on the National Mall on June 24, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Great American State Fair continues until July 10 celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. (Al Drago/Getty Images)
Trump used his words to praise the development of the nation’s capital, saying that homeless camps and graffiti have been removed, more than 50 monuments and memorials have been repaired and beautified, and dozens of statues have been cleaned since he returned to office. Trump also pointed to renovations at Union Station, Meridian Hill Park, Lafayette Square and the Reflecting Pool, which he said were “severely vandalized by criminals.”
“The destroyed have come to it,” Trump said of the Reflecting Pool. “They have been arrested and are being persecuted. We will not allow that to happen in our country.”
Trump previewed several projects related to the anniversary, including what he described as a new White House ballroom, a “triumphal arc” near Arlington Cemetery, the National Garden of American Heroes in West Potomac Park and the “Spirit of ’76” exhibit in Freedom Plaza honoring people from the American Revolution.
TRUMP’S DC BEAUTIFICATION PUSH WINS RARE DEM PRAISE AS PRESIDENT HITS LANDMARKS BACK TO LIFE
Trump framed the nation’s 250th birthday as a celebration of America’s founding and the launch of what he called “America’s new golden age.”
Preparation work for the Freedom 250 Great American State Fair continues on the National Mall on June 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. The exhibition will fill the mall with 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories from June 25 to July 10. ((Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images))
“This celebration is a time to be proud of our past,” Trump said. “But it’s also a time to raise our sights, expand our aspirations, and raise our expectations for what America can be.”
“With all that being said, the best is yet to come,” he added.
The president was joined at the event by House Speaker Mike Johnson, several Cabinet officials and administration figures, and what Trump described as “countless” members of Congress. Trump called the opening ceremony “a very special night.”
VANILLA ICE REPEAT DOWN WITH FREEDOM 250 AFTER HIS BREAK: ‘IF YOU’RE COMMITTED, DON’T QUIT’
“It is my privilege to officially kick off the celebration with the Great American State Fair,” Trump said. “It’s going to be great. It’s going to be unbelievable.”
Trump said the parade, which begins Wednesday and ends July 10, will showcase all 50 states and six US territories and include military flyovers, patriotic music, high-tech displays, demonstrations, a FIFA fan zone and “an old fashioned rodeo.”
An arch across the street from the 110-foot Ferris wheel during preparations for the Great American State Fair on the National Mall Monday, June 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago for The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“You get a little glimpse of it tonight,” Trump said after the flyovers. “How good is our Air Force?”
Trump also previewed what he said would be the biggest 4th of July celebration on the National Mall, telling supporters he would be back to speak as the country marks its 250th year with “the biggest parade in the history of the world.” He also pointed to other anniversary events, including the Patriot Games, a competition featuring high school athletes, and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix race around the Capitol and down Pennsylvania Avenue.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Trump closed by holding a ceremony celebrating the generations of Americans who built and defended the country, invoking the Founding Fathers, Patrick Henry, the Revolutionary War, the settlement of the West, the construction of railroads and buildings, two world wars and the space race.
“This is our heritage. This is our history, and this is America’s destiny to be the greatest, most wonderful country to ever grace the earth,” Trump said. “We are one people, one nation, marching toward one great future under our great American flag.”
“Happy birthday, America,” he added.
