President Donald Trump marked the 250th anniversary of American independence with a speech at Mount Rushmore that shifted from celebrating U.S. exceptionalism to warning about the dangers of communism, according to NPR. “Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,” he said. The speech. Which took place at a national park commemorating four U.S. presidents, diverged from the typically unifying tone of past Independence Day speeches by previous presidents like Ronald Reagan or Gerald Ford.

Communist Rhetoric and Political Context

Trump compared the threat of communism to historic events such as World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor, and 9/11; his remarks evoked the Red Scare of the 1950s, when suspected communists faced persecution, according to NPR. The speech was delivered after Trump had also warned of a ‘communist takeover’ at an earlier event at Mount Rushmore on July 3.

In WELT. It was reported that Trump’s July 4 speech in Washington was delayed by over an hour due to thunderstorms — the event featured a record-breaking fireworks display with 850,000 pyrotechnic effects over 35 minutes. During the speech. Trump reiterated his warnings against communists, calling them a ‘cancerous growth’ and stating, “We want no communists in our land.”.

Mount Rushmore Events and Public Response

Trump visited Mount Rushmore on July 3 to begin the 250th anniversary celebrations, as reported by Infobae. He traveled to the site using a Qatari-jumbo aircraft often used as Air Force One. The event was attended by South Carolina Governor Larry Rhoden and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The National Park Service conducted a lottery for 4,800 general admission tickets, with over 103,000 applications received, and entry was restricted to U.S. residents.

Trump’s Mount Rushmore visit sparked debate about the possibility of adding his likeness to the monument. He had previously mentioned the idea on social media in 2020. Experts noted, however, that there is no physical space on the rock for a fifth face, according to NBC News.

Continuing Celebrations in Washington

On July 4, Trump delivered another speech at the National Mall in Washington, where he praised veterans and astronauts, according to ZDFheute. He highlighted the country’s history from its 1776 founding and called the U.S. the “oldest constitutional republic in the world.” He also honored war veterans and families of fallen soldiers, including 107-year-old Navy veteran Arthur Rose, who took part in the D-Day invasion.

The event included a massive fireworks display described by organizers as the largest in U.S. history. Trump emphasized national unity and patriotism, stating, “The best is yet to come.” The speech was delayed in Washington due to thunderstorms but proceeded with the planned fireworks show shortly afterward.