Trump says American identity under ‘renewed attack’ as U.S. turns 250

U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out Friday (July 3, 2026) at what he called a fresh threat against the country’s identity, taking aim at domestic “radicals and extremists” on the eve of America’s 250th birthday.

“As we approach this magnificent anniversary, we see our American identity under a renewed attack,” Mr. Trump said, speaking at Mount Rushmore. “A generation after we fought and won the Cold War against the menace of communism, there is now a resurgence of the communist menace in our land.”

The location of Mr. Trump’s speech — a landmark upon which many suspect he would like to see his own face carved into rock — strikes a fitting image for a president who views himself as being one of the greats.

Mr. Trump’s supporters have even introduced legislation to have his likeness chiseled beside those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.

On July Fourth, Mr. Trump will hold a campaign-style political rally on the National Mall in Washington, along with flyovers by military jets and what he has billed as the world’s biggest fireworks display.

For Mr. Trump — the billionaire former reality TV star who became the consummate political showman — taking center stage is in his blood.

“Trump likes the spotlight, and I think he’s trying to take the spotlight,” Peter Loge, director of George Washington University’s School of Media, told AFP.

‘Really long speech’

But America under Mr. Trump is deeply divided at what should be a time of national unity.

Mr. Trump’s approval ratings are near historic lows, fueled largely by the war in Iran and the skyrocketing cost of living. His Democratic opponents have castigated him over his immigration policies, family’s growing wealth and attempts to expand presidential power.

In an appearance posted Friday (July 3, 2026) on second lady Usha Vance’s podcast, Mr. Trump alluded to the sense of national division when he was asked why children should go out and celebrate Saturday’s (July 4, 2026) anniversary.

“We have a great country. We have a country that is under a little bit of a ledge right now,” he said. “It can go one way or another, you understand that, but we’re going to go the other.”

Mr. Trump’s attempts to stamp his political brand on America’s 250th anniversary have, meanwhile, not always gone to plan.

A Trump-linked organization called Freedom 250 has taken control of many of the festivities from the bipartisan America250 group, leading many people to stay away from key events.

A “Great American State Fair” in the capital designed as a celebration of the country’s birthday has drawn sparse crowds and widespread mockery for its empty booths.

‘Great holiday’

As the United States marks two-and-a-half centuries of triumphs and tragedies, slavery and freedom, civil war and world wars, surveys show the nation is pessimistic about the chances of realizing the “American Dream.”

A Quinnipiac University Poll on Thursday showed 61% of Americans thought the U.S. was not living up to the ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence — though even opinion on that was divided, with most Republicans thinking it did, and most Democrats thinking it didn’t.

“The Fourth of July really is a moment of freedom, but I have to be honest, in these political times, it hasn’t been as exciting to me,” Amy Kimaara, a 49-year-old special education teacher, told AFP in Los Angeles.

Increasingly, Mr. Trump is using the 250th anniversary celebrations as a platform to rally political support for Republicans — and himself — ahead of crucial US midterm elections in November.