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By Jordan King
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President Donald Trump on Monday announced plans for what he called the “largest fireworks show in history” as part of a July 4 rally on the National Mall in Washington, promising a sweeping military display, live music and a keynote address to mark America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
In posts on Truth Social, the president said the Independence Day event—billed as a “Tribute to America”—will take place at the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument and feature hundreds of military musicians, flyovers and what he described as the biggest-ever joint ceremonial performance.
He also said he would personally curate the event’s playlist, adding that it would avoid performers “that put you to sleep and constantly complain.”
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The rally will cap a broader, summer-long series of events tied to the 250th anniversary of American independence, which Trump said will begin June 24 with a kickoff concert on the National Mall featuring U.S. Army and Marine Corps bands, singer Lee Greenwood and additional military flyovers.
Newsweek contacted the White House via email for comment.
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Trump’s Past July 4 Events Drew Crowds and Criticism
Trump has previously used Independence Day celebrations in Washington to stage large-scale, highly produced events. In 2019, he hosted a “Salute to America” gathering on the National Mall that included military flyovers, armored vehicles and a speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial—marking the first time in decades a president had addressed a July 4 crowd there.
The event drew attention for its heavy emphasis on military hardware and spectacle, as well as criticism from opponents who argued it blurred the line between a traditionally nonpartisan holiday and a political event.
Events Tie In to Nationwide Push for America’s 250th Anniversary
The event comes as the U.S. prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, often referred to as the country’s semiquincentennial. The milestone has been years in the making, with a congressionally established commission and affiliated groups coordinating nationwide programming and commemorations.
Organizers have said events will span everything from large-scale public celebrations in Washington to community-based programs across all 50 states aimed at reflecting on the country’s history and future.
This is a developing story; more to follow.
Check out all of Newsweek's coverage of America's 250th anniversary:
- Massive July 4 Fireworks Display in Washington to Start Later This Year
- How Trump's Agenda Clashes with Theodore Roosevelt's Legacy
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- Freedom 250: List of Events After Trump’s Great American State Fair is Modified
- Freedom 250: List of Performers Not Playing Trump-Backed Great American State Fair
- Freedom 250 Fair: What Attendees Can Expect as Artists Pull Out
- Utah's Republican Governor Moves to Ban Fireworks Statewide Before July 4: Here's Why
- Trump Vows Biggest Fireworks Show in History, His Own Playlist for July 4
- Tallest statue in the West proposed to honor America’s 250th anniversary
- Map Shows States Skipping America 250 Fair as John Fetterman Steps In
- Trump Mulls Replacing Artists Who Pulled Out of Freedom 250 With Himself
- Trump’s State Fair Loses Power on First Day
- July 4 Heat Dome: Map Shows States Facing Dangerous Temperatures
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