Donald Trump launched America's 250th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday with an event that was described as a brazenly partisan rally, featuring a performance of the national anthem by Kash Patel's girlfriend. The event, held in Washington D.C., was originally planned as a nonpartisan concert series but was transformed into a Trump rally after most musical artists pulled out, leaving only Vanilla Ice as a performer.
Trump's Bizarre Speech Elevates Ballroom to Monument Status
During his speech, Trump spent considerable time lamenting the state of America before his presidency, claiming that everything was 'rubbish' until he came along. In a particularly odd moment, he attempted to elevate his vanity ballroom and bunker project to the same status as the Washington Monument. 'For the hundredth anniversary, America completed the Washington Monument… We are likewise building new monuments to American greatness. We're building a ballroom,' Trump said.
Sean Duffy's Controversial Warm-Up Act
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy opened for Trump with a bizarre appearance, bringing his entire family on stage and berating the audience for not having enough children. 'Modern culture has told our young people that they shouldn't look for love. They shouldn't have a family, shouldn't have kids. Instead focus on their education, their careers, their bank accounts. This is the dumbest advice they could ever get. We should look for love, get married, and have lots of kids! Right? It's a lot of fun,' Duffy said. He also referred to the artists who pulled out of the event as 'Libtards.'
Prager U Exhibit at the Event
The event featured a 'Freedom Truck' developed by Prager U, a right-wing organization accused of racism and sexism. The truck included a CGI George Washington and a wall of 50 American heroes, of which all but nine were white. The exhibit was nestled among the museums of the Smithsonian Institution.
Trump's Preoccupation with Communism
Trump used the speech to express concern about communism, linking it to Democratic socialist candidates backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He claimed the SAVE America Act was necessary to prevent 'a lot of communists' from coming into the country. 'We fought two world wars. We defeated fascism and communism - we're going to have to do that again,' Trump said.
Trump Torpedoes Housing Bill to Push Voter ID Law
In a surprise move, Trump refused to sign a popular bipartisan housing bill until the SAVE America Act, which includes strict voter ID requirements, was passed. The bill is unlikely to pass due to a Democratic filibuster. Some Republican members of Congress learned of Trump's decision during a press conference where they had claimed White House support. House Speaker Mike Johnson appeared uncharacteristically miffed by the President.
Trump on Andy Burnham
During a Q&A session in the Oval Office, Trump was asked about potential UK Labour leader Andy Burnham. 'I don't know anything. I see that he was, I guess, the mayor of a town. I hear he's extremely liberal - extremely. So I guess he won't open up the North Sea,' Trump said, referencing his long-standing opposition to wind farms and his desire to restart North Sea drilling.
