‘Could be worse’ - Americans on the state of the nation in its 250th year
US President Donald Trump is set to lead a "spectacular rally" on Saturday at Washington DC's National Mall to commemorate America's 250th anniversary.
The event will take place amid a severe heatwave affecting large parts of the eastern and central United States. It will feature flyovers by hundreds of aircraft and a fireworks display that organizers aim to make the largest ever.
Military flyovers over Washington DC are scheduled to occur hourly between 13:15 local time (17:15 GMT) and sunset, with Trump's new Air Force One included in one of the formations over the capital, according to event organizers.
However, the president has faced criticism from opponents accusing him of politicizing the nation's anniversary celebration. Several musical acts withdrew shortly after being announced for the event.
The extreme heat, with temperatures reaching approximately 38C (100F), along with a later-than-planned start time, may affect the size of the crowd attending. Additionally, there is a possibility of evening thunderstorms that could disrupt the festivities, which have been organized by a White House-backed public-private partnership.
Trump’s Independence Day speech and political messaging
On the eve of Independence Day, President Trump delivered a speech at the Mount Rushmore national monument in South Dakota, asserting that American identity is under threat from domestic "radicals" and "extremists."
"The communist menace is rising again," Trump said, warning of "newcomers" embracing ideas contrary to the American way of life.
His remarks align with a growing political strategy ahead of the November mid-term elections, as Republicans seek to label Democrats as communists.
The Washington DC event, officially titled the Salute to America 250 Celebrations & Fireworks, is scheduled to begin at 19:00 local time, with President Trump expected to speak around 21:45. He has promised a "really long speech" during the Fourth of July festivities despite the heatwave, stating it will demonstrate "that I can do anything." Earlier events planned for Saturday were canceled due to forecasted high temperatures.
Fireworks and flyovers aiming for records
The annual Fourth of July fireworks display in Washington DC is a longstanding tradition. This year, Trump has pledged that the show, set to begin after his remarks, will be the "largest fireworks show in history."
Organizers plan to launch approximately 850,000 fireworks from 10 locations across the city, including eight barges on the Potomac River. The display is expected to last 40 minutes, which is twice as long as the usual show that typically features about 20,000 fireworks.
The event aims to break the Guinness World Record for the largest official fireworks show, surpassing the current record set in 2016 by a megachurch in the Philippines.
However, concerns have been raised about the potential for the fireworks to cause hazardous air pollution levels in Washington DC. Internal National Park Service documents obtained by media outlets such as the Washington Post and Politico indicate that the fireworks could result in "very unhealthy" air quality conditions in the city center.
Challenges and controversies surrounding the event
The combination of soaring temperatures, possible storms, and airport-style security checkpoints may dampen attendance, with administration officials reportedly worried about crowd size.
The event has also been the subject of political controversy. The White House-affiliated group organizing the celebration, Freedom250, has been accused by critics of effectively replacing the bipartisan America250 commission established by Congress a decade ago. Some Democrats have accused President Trump of hijacking the anniversary event, allegations that organizers deny.
"President Trump couldn't help but try making America's 250th birthday all about himself," California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla stated during a 24 June hearing.
Freedom250 has dismissed these accusations as a "partisan smear" from politicians aiming to score "political points" rather than genuinely celebrate the US milestone.
Other nationwide celebrations
Elsewhere in the country, New York's Times Square Ball will drop eight times to mark midnight in each US time zone. The city will also host a fireworks display at 21:25 local time.
In Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago at Independence Hall, a concert featuring artists such as Christina Aguilera and Meek Mill is planned. The city will also host its final World Cup game earlier in the day.
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