Flyovers by stealth bombers and fighter jets, along with performances spanning opera and classic American rock, set the stage in Washington before Donald Trump launched celebrations marking America’s 250th birthday.
The 80-year-old president addressed the crowd Wednesday evening on the National Mall during the opening ceremony of the Great American State Fair, using his remarks to highlight what he described as a new era of American prosperity.
Speaking from a stage positioned before the Washington Monument, Trump was surrounded by fair booths lining the lawn often called “America’s Front Yard,” with all 50 states and six U.S. territories represented. He told attendees the country was on the brink of a major economic revival.
“We are beginning the most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen,” Trump said. “This evening, it’s my honor to officially kick off the celebration with the Great American State Fair.”
Trump said America’s 250th year would bring “an economic boom” unlike anything seen before, and claimed gas prices would soon fall further as a result of his negotiations with Iran to end the war.
Public polling has consistently shown that affordability, inflation and the broader economy remain among voters’ leading concerns ahead of the November midterm elections.
From the stage, Trump outlined a slate of patriotic events designed to mark the milestone year, including a grand prix along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington and what he described as the largest Independence Day fireworks display ever staged.
“Today we have the largest economy on earth, we have the strongest military on earth, we have the most powerful technology on earth, we have the greatest culture on earth, and above all, we have the greatest people on earth,” Trump said.
President Donald Trump celebrated the kick off of the Great American State Fair with a speech on the National Mall on Wednesday evening
Air Force B-2 stealth bomber flies during a rally to kick off the Great American State Fair, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of US independence, in Washington on Wednesday
Thousands gathered for the event celebrating the country’s 250th birthday to listen to President Donald Trump. The President reiterated the US economy is strong amid concerns among voters about the evonomy
Just ahead of his remarks, a flyover of F-16s, F-35As and America’s iconic long-range stealth bomber used recently against Iran, the B-2 Spirit, thundered overhead.
A sizable portion of the Trump Cabinet sat front row at the Trump rally, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FBI Director Kash Patel, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and more.
A sprawling 110-foot light-adorned Ferris Wheel and the US Capitol Building also cast a picturesque backdrop behind the venue as planes streaked overhead.
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Trump anthem ‘God Bless the USA’ was played by Lee Greenwood, FBI Director Kash Patel’s girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins, sang the National Anthem and opera singer Christopher Macchio belted a beautiful serenade.
Thousands of Americans from across the country came to witness the opening ceremony. The fair runs from Wednesday until July 10 and has various themed events for ‘Make America Healthy Again’ (MAHA) fans and musical guest performances.
Trump’s speaking at the kick-off came after a high-profile scandal where many of the original musical acts booked for the fair dropped out within days of being announced.
Freedom 250, a Trump-aligned fundraising group, led the charge on the fair and past events like the UFC White House fight, among other projects for the anniversary.
Shortly after Freedom 250 proudly announced the fair and its lineup of roughly nine performers, nearly all dropped out, citing concerns of the event being tied to Trump.
There were four seperate US Air Force flyovers all using different formations, uncluding this B-2 bomber flanked by F-35A fighter jets
The crowd cheered ballistically after the flyovers passed overhead
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Will patriotic celebrations distract from America’s economic struggles or highlight them even more?
Performers like Bret Michaels, The Commodores and Martina McBride released statements backing out of the deal, some of them saying they were tricked and didn’t know of the event’s political nexus.
Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida never canceled, it should be noted, but it is unclear if they are still scheduled to perform at the fair.
The military bands and Trump-selected performers, Secretary Duffy declared, were ‘so much better than those libtards who canceled on us.’
