UPDATE: After the delayed start, Donald Trump spoke for about 40 minutes, presenting a bit of history, like the one of the earliest American flags, and introducing World War II and Vietnam veterans, a veteran Apollo astronaut and the Artemis crew.
“There is no place we cannot go, there is no goal we cannot reach and there is nothing Americans cannot do,” Trump said, before touting the stock market and claiming more than $19 trillion being invested in the U.S., something FactCheck.org has called exaggerated.
As heavy in history as his speech was, it also was political, as he once again railed against a communist threat, an apparent reference to the victories of a handful Democratic Socialists in recent Democratic primaries. It also was a preview of one of the tactics he plans to take in the midterms, a threat just as the immigrant caravans were in the midterms of Trump 1.0. “Communism is a loser, and it always will be,” he said.
He also pushed for passage of the Save America Act, requiring a passport or birth certificate when registering to vote. The legislation would likely die in the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to overcome the threat of a filibuster.
PREVIOUSLY, 6:04 p.m. ET: Donald Trump said that he will start speaking at 11 p.m. ET after severe weather forced the evacuation of the National Mall.
He posted on Truth Social, “Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting! We will wait it out, I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now. Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the “what” usually turns out to be a good thing. It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight. They say 11:00 O’Clock for the speech. Who cares??? Remember two weeks ago when the big UFC Event was at 100% chance of heavy rain, all week long, and just minutes before the card started. Well, there wasn’t a single drop, and the fights turned out to be among the greatest in history, an event for the ages. Our great veterans, especially the old timers, many of whom are there, went through hellfire, and it didn’t stop them. It’s not going to stop us either! I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th.”
Earlier, he called Fox News’ Bret Baier and said, “I’m goin through bad weather. No matter what happens I am delivering this speech. We are going to do this program … whether it is 10 or 11 or 2 p.m.”
Scattered storms have moved into the region, something that is not all that uncommon in D.C. after a day of extreme heat. Around 7 p.m. ET, when the Salute to America event was about to start, officials began advising attendees to seek shelter in nearby buildings. Although it has yet to downpour, a big fear are lightning strikes.
Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said that gates will reopen at 9:45 p.m. ET “at President Donald J. Trump’s direction.”
She said, “Rain or shine, the American people deserve a celebration worthy of our nation’s historic 250th birthday. For 250 years, Americans have overcome every challenge with grit, resilience, and determination. A little rain will never diminish our pride, our patriotism, or our celebration of the greatest nation in the history of the world.”
A restarting of the program would mean that attendees would again have to be screened at the security perimeter. There were reports of long lines when gates were opened around 5 p.m. ET.
Baier said that he told Trump that if he speaks, “There may not be anybody here.”
Trump replied, “I don’t care. It’s America 250. If they can storm the beaches on D-Day I can deliver a speech and we can keep this program going.”
Baier had been sheltering in a trailer, where he spoke to a World War II veterans, including one who is 103.
PREVIOUSLY, 5:21 p.m. PT: Severe weather has postponed, for now, the Salute to America celebration on the National Mall that was to feature Donald Trump’s speech followed by fireworks.
After a sweltering hot day of record breaking temperatures in the region, the scattered storms moved in around 5 p.m. ET. The Salute to America was set to start at 7 p.m. ET, but attendees were advised to seek shelter.
Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said in a statement, “The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority. Due to approaching severe storms, Freedom 250, United States Secret Service, United States Park Police, National Park Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and all public safety partners are asking all guests to evacuate event grounds and seek temporary shelter in a nearby building.”
Alvarez also provided a list of shelter locations, including the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, Department of Agriculture, Internal Revenue Service, VOA Building, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, the African American Museum, and the Ronald Reagan Building.
The Secret Service also announced that it was suspending admissions to the grounds, which feature security checkpoints. “This action was taken solely in the interest of public safety, and we have no estimate for when screening may resume,” the Secret Service said.
Throughout the day, there have been military flyovers in the region to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. That has meant ground stops at Washington Reagan International Airport and delays at Washington Dulles International Airport.
On Fox News, Monica Crowley, chief of protocol, said that lightning strikes in the region have been a concern. “We are watching the weather very closely,” she said.
Trump is scheduled to start speaking around 9:45 p.m. ET. A stage was set up near the Washington Monument for the event, located just west of the Great American State Fair on the Mall.
