Trump mixes patriotism with partisanship as he celebrates ‘glorious’ 250th independence anniversary

US President Donald Trump mixes partisan politics with patriotic appeals as he commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence, a moment he declared “one of the most joyous and glorious milestones of all time.”

Speaking in Washington after storms prompted a roughly two-hour evacuation of the National Mall, Trump honors veterans, including several from World War II and one of the first Black officers to lead a Special Forces team in combat in Vietnam. They appear before flags that symbolized some of the most significant and challenging moments in American history, from the one that was draped over Abraham Lincoln’s casket to the one that flew on the plane piloted by the Wright Brothers.

Yet Trump also leans into partisan territory unusual for an Independence Day address, which presidents typically use as a moment to unify the country. Instead, he stumps again for the SAVE America Act, an elections bill that’s encountering challenges even from Trump’s fellow Republicans in Congress. He highlights his support for the Second Amendment and revived denunciations of communism, which are becoming an increasingly central part of Trump’s message ahead of the November midterms.

The speech caps a holiday that Trump has gone to great lengths to shape to his own tastes. He was introduced by two musical performers who often appear at his trademark rallies, including Lee Greenwood, who performed “God Bless America.” The event organizers were largely aligned with the White House, supplanting a bipartisan organization that was launched by Congress a decade ago.

“We will always be on top,” Trump says. “We will never let our country fall. We will always be the best.”