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By Gabe Whisnant and Anna Commander
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President Donald Trump delivered a keynote speech Wednesday night on the National Mall, headlining a kickoff rally for the Great American State Fair tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Trump did a highlight reel of sorts of his second administration thus far, praising the U.S. military and recent memorandum of understanding with Iran, while repeating that "Iran will never have a nuclear weapon."
"By the way, how good is our military," Trump said to the crowd. "One week Iran was essentially finished. In one hour, Venezuela was finished. And I guess we have other things in store, but we don't want to get carried away," he added.
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The president also mentioned the recent Reflecting Pool controversy, saying it looks "perfect" despite being "gruesomely vandalized by thugs." He added that the alleged vandals have largely been caught.
The event marks a high-profile start to the Freedom 250 celebration after organizers scrapped a planned concert series, underscoring how the anniversary events have shifted toward a more overtly political format. The rally will feature performances from Lee Greenwood, tenor Christopher Macchio and several U.S. military bands, with Trump serving as the central figure of the program ahead of the fair’s official opening the following day.
Country singer Alexis Wilkins, FBI director Kash Patel's girlfriend, will also be among Wednesday's performers.
"What a great honor to be a part of the 250th birthday of this great nation!" Wilkins wrote on X.
Trump's speech is scheduled for 7 p.m. and is expected to launch a weekslong festival on the National Mall with state pavilions, exhibits and gatherings, even as the rebooted format comes after multiple artists withdrew from the original lineup.
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The kickoff comes a day before the fair officially opens and marks the start of a broader slate of Freedom 250 and America250 events planned across Washington through early July.
What Is America250 and Freedom 250?
America250 is the congressionally authorized, bipartisan effort created to coordinate nationwide events marking the country’s 250th birthday, while Freedom 250 is a White House-backed public‑private initiative that is organizing high-profile celebrations. The two groups are separate and not formally connected.
Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair: What to Know
The Freedom 250-backed Great American State Fair is set to transform the National Mall into a large-scale, World’s Fair-style exposition from June 25 through July 10, featuring pavilions and exhibits representing U.S. states and territories. According to organizers, the free public event will span the area between the U.S. Capitol and Washington Monument, with more than 150 exhibits from government agencies, businesses and civic groups, highlighting American culture, industry and innovation.
Officials say the fair will include live performances, military demonstrations, flyovers, interactive experiences and traditional attractions such as a Ferris wheel, alongside themed daily programming focused on topics like innovation, health, faith and military service.
Below is a breakdown of key Freedom250 and America 250 events across Washington from June 24 through July 10.
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June 24: Trump to Keynote 'America Is Back' Ceremony
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"America Is Back: A Kick-off Celebration for the Great American State Fair"
- When: Wednesday, June 24
- Where: National Mall
- A large-scale opening ceremony organized by Freedom250, featuring musical performances, military bands and ceremonial elements marking the start of its programming tied to the 250th anniversary. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
- Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at 7 p.m. from the National Mall.
June 25-July 10: Great American State Fair
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Great American State Fair
- When: Thursday, June 25-Friday, July 10
- Where: National Mall
- A multiweek festival, transforming the Mall between 14th and 4th Streets into a national showcase with state pavilions, food, exhibits and live entertainment.
- The Freedom 250-backed fair will feature displays from federal agencies, companies and civic organizations, highlighting U.S. innovation and industry.
- Organizers say the event will include daily themed programming, live music, military demonstrations, flyovers, film screenings and interactive experiences, alongside traditional fair elements.
- The fair will run daily with extended evening hours, and it is free and open to the public, with guests encouraged to use Metro or rideshare due to limited access on the Mall.
Late June: Additional Events and Programming
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Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle
- When: Saturday, June 27-Sunday, June 28
- Where: Pennsylvania Avenue
- A long-running food and music festival returning during the anniversary period.
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Ongoing America 250-associated programming
- Smithsonian museums, the Library of Congress and other institutions are hosting exhibitions and public programs tied to the U.S. semiquincentennial, many of which run throughout this period.
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Local DC250 events
- Community-based programming, including public art initiatives launching around July 1, are being coordinated through Washington's official 250th birthday planning effort.
July 1-3: Lead-Up to Independence Day
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Smithsonian exhibitions and late programming
- Expanded museum hours, special exhibits and talks continue into early July as part of anniversary-themed programming.
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A Capitol Fourth (July 3)
- The annual concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, featuring musical performances leading into the Fourth of July.
July 4: Trump to Headline DC Rally for America's 250th Birthday
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National Independence Day Parade
- America250 event held along Constitution Avenue, with bands, performers and floats from across the country.
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Tribute to America 250 Celebration and Fireworks
- Where: National Mall/Washington Monument grounds
- A large-scale Independence Day event beginning at 7 p.m. organized by Freedom 250, featuring live performances, military flyovers and a fireworks display over the Mall.
- Trump will headline and deliver remarks, which he has described as a “Trump rally” tied to the 250th anniversary celebrations.
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July 5-10: Closing Days of the State Fair
- The Great American State Fair continues through July 10, with ongoing performances, exhibitions and public programming on the National Mall.
Reflecting Pool Problems, Polling Woes Loom Over Trump Events
The celebrations are unfolding as crews scramble to address issues at the nearby Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which has been plagued by algae blooms and peeling paint just weeks after a multimillion-dollar renovation ahead of the anniversary events.
The saga has intensified in recent days, with Trump saying Tuesday that six people were arrested and others cited, accused of damaging the site, while the president added that a “350-foot gash” had been cut into the new coating.
Trump has repeatedly blamed vandalism for the problems, even as officials continue draining and treating portions of the pool, raising fresh questions about its condition as large crowds are expected on the National Mall for the July Fourth festivities.
The celebration is also poised to arrive as a new national poll shows Trump's approval rating at 30 percent, the lowest level recorded in the American Research Group's recent trend.
The findings come as economic pessimism deepens across the electorate and as Democrats and Republicans begin positioning themselves for the 2026 midterm elections, where voter perceptions of the economy are expected to play a central role.
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