President Donald Trump delivered a Fourth of July address from the National Mall on Saturday night, celebrating American resilience and honoring the founders who fought for independence 250 years ago. The speech came hours after weather delays pushed the program back in Washington, D.C.
Trump took the stage at 11:15 p.m., more than an hour later than scheduled. “Tonight we pledge allegiance to the flag they entrusted to us, and we say, God bless the immortal patriots of 1776. And long live the cause of independence,” he declared.
He also turned to current political issues, promoting his SAVE America Act — a proposal that would significantly reshape how U.S. elections are run just months before the midterms — and repeatedly condemning communism.
Throughout the address, Trump highlighted several historic flags displayed behind him, including an original 1777 banner and the flag that covered Abraham Lincoln’s coffin. At various points, veterans and Medal of Honor recipients from multiple American wars joined him onstage to salute the flags.
The speech concluded with a flyover and a large fireworks show, following a major interruption earlier in the evening when thunderstorms forced the crowd — already enduring record heat — to evacuate the area.
Washington, D.C., reached a preliminary high of 102 degrees on Saturday, marking the city’s hottest Fourth of July on record and surpassing the previous 100-degree record set in 1919, according to ABC News meteorologists.
Evacuation announcements sometimes caused confusion among attendees. Trump later thanked the crowd for their cooperation.
“I want to thank everybody because they did the right thing. They saw lightning. And I said, ‘Even if I’m speaking to one person at 4 in the morning, I’ll be here.’ Nothing can deter us,” he said.
The “Salute to America 250 Celebration & Fireworks” was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. but did not start until 10:45 p.m. Almost all musical performances were canceled because of the delay.
Despite the heat and disruptions, Trump insisted on delivering his remarks. “One very smart person backstage said, ‘We can do it next week.’ I said, ‘It doesn’t work next week. This is the day — we want July Fourth,’” he recalled.
By 8 p.m., local officials reported that twelve people on the National Mall and nearby areas had been taken to hospitals due to the extreme temperatures.
Trump’s address came at a time when his administration has faced criticism for contentious domestic and foreign policies. His approval ratings remain low, though a June Quinnipiac poll showed a slight improvement from earlier in his second term.
According to the poll, 38% of voters approved of Trump’s performance while 55% disapproved, compared to 34% to 58% in May. The survey also found that majorities of voters were dissatisfied with his handling of immigration, the economy, foreign policy, and the ongoing conflict with Iran.
