Trump kicks off America’s 250th celebration with campaign-style rally

President on National Mall rattles off list of apparent victories and says ‘I am thrilled to declare America is back’ Donald Trump kicked off what was intended to be a “spectacular birthday party” for American’s 250th year of independence with a political rally touting his presidency. “I am thrilled to declare that America is back,” Trump said at the opening ceremony for the Great American State Fair in Washington DC, held on the National Mall. “As you know very well, a short time ago we were a dead country. We were dead. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected by everybody. Nobody’s laughing at us any more.” He rattled off a list of what he described as victories, including a preliminary deal to end the conflict with Iran, a crackdown on immigration and a tax bill. “In the American Revolution, they had a saying no tax on tea. But with the Great Big Beautiful Bill we did even better,” he said, harkening back to the event’s purpose. He also boasted about projects he has spearheaded around Washington to beautify the city ahead of its independence anniversary, including his project to make the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool