Washington, United States. US President Donald Trump delivered a delayed speech at the National Mall after severe weather disrupted celebrations marking US National Day and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Authorities briefly evacuated the area because of an incoming thunderstorm before crowds were allowed to return.
Weather disruption delays event
Authorities had earlier recommended a temporary evacuation of the National Mall due to the storm. People gathered at the site were instructed to seek shelter in nearby museums and government buildings before being cleared to return.
Speech begins late
Trump’s address began at 23:15 local time, or 06:15 Cyprus time, and concluded with one of the largest fireworks displays staged in the US capital.
Addressing the crowd, Trump thanked those who returned to the venue after the interruption.
“I want to thank everybody because they did the right thing. They saw the lightning and they said (…) if I have to speak in front of one person at 4 in the morning, I’ll be here. There is no way to stop us,” Trump said.
Remarks on US history
Trump referred to the significance of the Fourth of July and the history of the United States, saying Americans were celebrating “the triumph of freedom over tyranny” and “the enduring victory of the American spirit from July 4, 1776, to July 4, 2026.”
During the event, one of the earliest American flags, dating to 1777 and featuring 13 stars and 13 stripes representing the original colonies, was displayed.
Anti-communist remarks
Trump repeated anti-communist rhetoric that has featured in recent appearances, directing his message toward a domestic political audience.
“Communism is a loser and always will be,” he said, adding that American soldiers did not fight communism across global fronts only to allow the same threat to emerge within the country.
He had made similar remarks in a speech at Mount Rushmore, where he said that “America will never be a communist country.”