US President Donald Trump on Sunday hailed the United States as the world’s greatest nation, saying it had served as “the hope, the promise, the light, and the glory among all of the nations of the world”
for 250 years, as he delivered a delayed Independence Day address on the National Mall in Washington.
The speech, which began about an hour later than scheduled after thunderstorms forced the evacuation of spectators near the Washington Monument, went ahead despite severe weather and a record-breaking heat wave that disrupted several Fourth of July celebrations in the US capital.
Attendees who had been evacuated were required to undergo fresh security screening by the US Secret Service before re-entering the venue, with some deciding to leave rather than wait in long lines.
Addressing those who remained, Trump praised both the country and its people.
“For 250 years, the United States of America has been the hope, the promise, the light and the glory among all of the nations of the world,” Trump said.
“No people have done more good, shown more courage, made more progress, righted more injustice, or achieved more greatness than you, the American people!”
He continued, “All over the world, they try to be like us. Nobody can be like us, and with God’s help, we will always be this or even better.”
Marking the country’s 250th anniversary, Trump said the celebrations symbolised America’s enduring values and history.
“We’re going to be better. Here on our National Mall, we’re celebrating freedom’s triumph over tyranny, liberty’s conquest over oppression, and the enduring victory of the American spirit from July 4, 1776, to July 4, 2026, big dates, that’s big dates, two big ones,” he said.
Trump concluded the opening portion of his remarks by declaring that the United States was stronger than ever.
“And tonight, our country is stronger, freer, richer, safer, and prouder than ever before!”
During the address, Trump also asserted, “We sank 159 Iranian ships in the bottom of the sea.”
Opening his speech, Trump acknowledged the weather-related disruption but insisted the celebrations would proceed regardless.
“I want to thank everybody, because they did the right thing. They saw lightning, and I said, if we have to speak in front of one person at 4 o’clock in the morning, I’m going to be here. There’s no way we can be deterred,” he said to cheers from the crowd.
Trump also sympathised with attendees who were unable to return after the evacuation.
“I feel so bad about some people, they left it, they couldn’t get back, but you’re very special people, and we have a very special country,” he said.
While describing the delay as inconvenient, Trump argued it made the occasion even more memorable.
“This is an evening for the ages. I believe this is something very special. This is bigger than if we didn’t have the lightning blaring. We had lightning blaring, but this is a little more inconvenient, and it’s bigger. I think in its own way, it’s more beautiful,” he said.
STORMS DELAY EVENT AS HEAT WAVE HITS WASHINGTON
Trump had vowed before the event that he would speak “no matter what” despite forecasts of thunderstorms, writing on social media,
Reuters reported that visitors endured heightened security and temperatures reaching 102 degrees Fahrenheit (39 degrees Celsius), with the heat wave forcing the cancellation of several parades and other Independence Day events in Washington.
The celebrations were organised by the Trump administration-backed Freedom 250 initiative, which has largely taken over planning for the country’s 250th anniversary from a bipartisan commission established in 2016, Reuters reported.
The National Mall was transformed into a “Great American State Fair” featuring attractions alongside displays by conservative organisations and defence contractors.
Reuters also reported that several Democratic-led states declined to send official delegations, while a number of scheduled performers withdrew over concerns that the anniversary celebrations had become increasingly partisan.
Members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front were also seen arriving in Washington, although local police said they received no reports of violence.
