Donald Trump pokes fun at British surrender as he rings in 'golden age of America' on Independence Day

Donald Trump poked fun at Britain's surrender and declared "America is back" as he addressed the nation for the 250th anniversary of US independence.

In a heavily-delayed evening of July 4 festivities, the President hailed American triumphs, invited veterans and astronauts to the stage, and railed against communism.

Mr Trump spoke in front of a series of historical American flags, including those from Teddy Roosevelt's victory over Spain in Cuba, the Wright Brothers' first flight and more.

Showing off an American flag from 1777, he told crowds: "These were the stars and stripes that flew triumphant when the British waved the white flag of surrender at Yorktown.

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"That was a big surrender. Nobody thought that was possible."

Elsewhere, he ripped into communists in a mirror to his speech below Mount Rushmore the night before.

"All this talk from the communists, they haven’t got a chance, not even a chance," Mr Trump said.

"We don't want communists in our country.

"It's never worked, and it never will work. Americans must never forget that we are a historic and heroic people with a heroic spirit and a heroic purpose on this beautiful earth of ours."

He also turned fire on Iran, whose people were mourning the death of their Ayatollah in Tehran across the July 4 weekend.

America is "back" and "winning like never before", Mr Trump said as he compared the US's military victories in the past to the war in Iran.

"We have the banner that flew atop our flagship after America's Navy sank the Spanish fleet to the bottom of Manila Bay, one of the greatest naval victories in history," he said.

"Much like our recent victory by sinking the entire Iranian Navy, 159 ships, to the bottom of the sea.

"All done in just a moment's time... It happened very quickly. We have the greatest military anywhere in the world."

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He also honoured the crew of Artemis II, who took to the stage alongside Jack Schmitt, the last living man to have walked on the Moon.

And he declared America would go to Mars, paid homage to US military veterans, and promoted the Save America Act in his address.

He ended his speech by telling crowds it was an "honour" to be their President.

"This is only the dawn of the golden age of America, and on this 250th July 4, we declare, just as they did two and a half centuries ago, that for our country and for our children and for the cause of liberty, we are going to take our country to new levels, to levels not reached.

"We're going to make it bigger, better, stronger, and we're going to love it even more.

"I just want to thank you - and the inconvenience of lightning can do that, but lightning will never stop you - and I want to thank everybody, and we love you all, and it's an honour to be your President.

"Thank you. God bless you all. God bless you all."

Mr Trump had been slated to speak at around 2.45am BST - but thunderstorms and evacuations in Washington DC threatened to derail the address, fireworks and performances in the lead-up to the event.

It was only after 4.15am that the President eventually took to the stage to speak.

Chaos earlier broke out in the heart of Washington DC after the National Mall was evacuated amid a severe weather warning.

Just hours before Donald Trump was scheduled to deliver his speech, crowds on the National Mall were encouraged to flee to federal buildings nearby or Smithsonian museums.

Political commentator Tiffany Marie Brannon described the evacuation as a "mad screaming rush" and "utter pandemonium", speaking to GB News from the event.

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