America's nonstop birthday party
Why it matters: Trump's vision for the semiquincentennial goes beyond purely American fare to showcase the country's military, economic and cultural power on a global stage.
His expansive vision for a nonstop American celebration includes the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, The Atlantic recently reported.
Trump is floating additional programming like a "Great American State Fair," "Patriot Games" and a "Freedom Plane" inspired by the Bicentennial-era " Freedom Train."
In keeping with his love of spectacle, a New Year's Eve-style ball drop in Times Square has been discussed.
Driving the news: Trump's speech at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Thursday night served as the formal kickoff to the celebrations and an opportunity to brag about congressional Republicans passing his "one big, beautiful bill."
The president soft-launched 250 this year with a rare military parade to honor the Army in D.C., which coincided with nationwide "No Kings" and anti-ICE protests.
More military branches' birthdays will be recognized this fall, with celebrations planned for the Marines and Navy.
Trump said last night his 250th anniversary plans include a UFC fight on the grounds of the White House.
Zoom in: Some of the planned activities for America 250 are more squarely around American pride, like a student-focused America's Field Trip.
Trump wants his proposed sculpture park, dubbed the National Garden of American Heroes, to be ready by July 2026. The plans feature life-size statues of figures like Ronald Reagan, Whitney Houston and Jackie Robinson — "all approved by Trump," as the Wall Street Journal reported.
"We're going to have a big, big celebration, as you know — 250 years," Trump said at Arlington Cemetery in late May. "In some ways, I'm glad I missed that second term because I wouldn't be your president for that. Can you imagine? I missed that four years. And now look what I have."
Reality check: The turbocharged celebrations come as Americans report record-low levels of patriotic pride.
State of play: Preparations for America's 250th birthday have been underway since roughly 2016 under former President Obama, though they've taken a more MAGA bent since January.
There are two main organizers at the national level: the White House's Task Force 250, which Trump chairs and established via an executive order in his first week in office, and the congressional America250 Commission, which was established in 2016, meant to be nonpartisan and is backed by a nonprofit.
Ex-Fox News producer Ariel Abergel, who interned in Trump's first White House and finished college in 2021, is now America250's executive director.
Other Trump allies like fundraiser Meredith O'Rourke and Trump adviser Chris LaCivita serve roles in the foundation supporting the America250 commission's work.
Outside of the federal planning effort, expect state-level programming across the country.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Politico
35 minutes ago
- Politico
Details emerge on Gaza ceasefire proposal as Netanyahu heads to White House
The document outlines plans for a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would hand over 10 living and 18 dead hostages, Israeli forces would withdraw to a buffer zone along Gaza's borders with Israel and Egypt, and significant amounts of aid would be brought in. The document says the aid would be distributed by United Nations agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent. It does not specify what would happen to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the American organization that has distributed food aid since May. Israel wants it to replace the U.N.-coordinated system. As in previous ceasefire agreements, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities would be released in exchange for the hostages, but the number is not yet agreed upon. The proposal stops short of guaranteeing a permanent end to the war — a condition demanded by Hamas -- but says negotiations for a permanent ceasefire would take place during the 60 days. During that time, 'President (Donald) Trump guarantees Israel's adherence' to halting military operations, the document says, adding that Trump 'will personally announce the ceasefire agreement.' The personal guarantee by Trump appeared to be an attempt to reassure Hamas that Israel would not unilaterally resume fighting as it did in March during a previous ceasefire, when talks to extend it appeared to stall. Displaced Palestinians bake bread in a school now serving as a shelter in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on July 6, 2025. | Abdel Kareem Hana/AP Trump said last week that Israel had agreed on terms for a 60-day ceasefire, but it was unclear if the terms were those in the document reviewed by the AP. Hamas has requested some changes but has not specified them. Separately, an Israeli official said the security Cabinet late Saturday approved sending aid into northern Gaza, where civilians suffer from acute food shortages. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the decision with the media, declined to give more details.
43 minutes ago
Disney World closes iconic attractions to make way for new land
Walt Disney World is closing several iconic attractions beginning Monday to make room for a brand-new land. Frontierland's Rivers of America, Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat at Magic Kingdom will shut down on July 7 as Disney prepares to bring a national park-themed area called Piston Peak to life. Rivers of America has been a staple of Frontierland and Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom since Disney World opened in 1971. The Liberty Belle steamboat and Tom Sawyer Island were added in 1973, offering guests a narrated ride through scenes of early American frontier life. Visitors could also take a raft to explore Tom Sawyer Island, inspired by Mark Twain's beloved novel. Last month, Disney announced that Piston Peak National Park will be the "largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom," continuing the storytelling tradition that has flowed through Liberty Square and Frontierland since opening day. Inspired by the American frontier and the majestic Rocky Mountains -- stretching from British Columbia to New Mexico -- Piston Peak will transport guests into a wilderness filled with towering trees, snowcapped mountains, waterfalls, roaring rivers and dramatic geysers. Visitors will be able to explore a "visitor lodge, Ranger HQ, trails and more," all inspired by Disney and Pixar's "Cars" universe and its "wheelderness." Disney's Imagineers are even basing Piston Peak's architecture on that of the real-world "Parkitecture" style, which focuses on blending buildings with the surrounding natural landscape harmoniously. And Piston Peak isn't the only major project underway. Disney also confirmed that Imagineers are hard at work on the first-ever land inspired by Disney villains. Located beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the land will feature two major attractions, themed dining, shopping, and a darkly magical aesthetic on an "incredibly twisted grand scale." Additionally, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is set to reopen next year with new magic, while later this summer, Disney Starlight will make its grand debut on Main Street on July 20. Meanwhile, The Beak and Barrel will welcome pirates of all ages to join in the adventure.
UPI
44 minutes ago
- UPI
Trump administration extends timeline for tariff negotiations
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent speaks to press at the podium before Democratic and GOP luncheon press conferences in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on June 24. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo July 6 (UPI) -- Tariffs are set to return to previous levels on the first of August for countries that haven't agreed on new deals, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday. Bessent said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday, just three days prior to the Trump administration's July 9 deadline for tariffs to return, that it would be notifying 100 smaller countries that "if you don't move things along, then on August 1, you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level." The tariffs were originally set to take effect in April but were pushed back to this Wednesday while countries worked with the Trump administration to reach new deals on products from their countries, a window that allowed dozens of countries to work out the details of between 10% and 50%. The Trump administration has said reaching deals with some countries has been increasingly difficult. August 1st is not a new deadline, Bessent said Sunday, but an opportunity to arrive at new tariff deals. "We are saying this is when it's happening," Bessent said Sunday. "If you want to speed things up, have at it. If you want to go back to the old rate, that's your choice." The administration has signaled that there may be some flexibility around the new timeline for key trading partners, but National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said on CBS's "Face the Nation" President Donald Trump would make the ultimate decision. "There are deadlines, and there are things that are close, and so maybe things will push back the dead, past the deadline," Hassett said. "In the end the president's going to make that judgment." The administration did not name the 12 countries that it would be communicating with this week about the tariff negotiations.
