Trump promises 'economic boom' for America's 250th birthday as jets fly overhead and opera plays

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT Published: 03:16, 25 June 2026 | Updated: 03:17, 25 June 2026 Stealth bomber and fighter jet flyovers were punctuated with opera and classic American rock before Donald Trump kicked off America's 250th birthday celebrations in Washington.  The 80-year-old President delivered remarks touting American prosperity while on the National Mall at the opening ceremony of the Great American State Fair on Wednesday evening. Speaking from a stage in front of the Washington Monument, flanked by fair booths along the green lawn dubbed 'America's Front Yard,' where all 50 US states and six territories are represented, Trump promised a fiscal renaissance.  'We are beginning the most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen,' Trump declared. 'This evening, it's my honor to officially kick off the celebration with the Great American State Fair.'  'America's 250th year is set for an economic boom, the likes of which no nation has ever seen before,' Trump said, claiming gas prices would soon drop further because of his negotiations with Iran to end the war.  Polls have shown that voters' top concerns heading into the November midterms are affordability, inflation and the economy.  Back on stage, Trump promised a slew of patriotic festivities that could take voters' minds away from the economy, ranging from a grand prix down DC's Pennsylvania Avenue to the largest fireworks show ever done for Independence Day.  'Today we have the largest economy on earth, we have the strongest military on earth, we have the most powerful technology on earth, we have the greatest culture on earth, and above all, we have the greatest people on earth,' Trump declared.  President Donald Trump celebrated the kick off of the Great American State Fair with a speech on the National Mall on Wednesday evening Air Force B-2 stealth bomber flies during a rally to kick off the Great American State Fair, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of US independence, in Washington on Wednesday Thousands gathered for the event celebrating the country's 250th birthday to listen to President Donald Trump. The President reiterated the US economy is strong amid concerns among voters about the evonomy Just ahead of his remarks, a flyover of F-16s, F-35As and America's iconic long-range stealth bomber used recently against Iran, the B-2 Spirit, thundered overhead.   A sizable portion of the Trump Cabinet sat front row at the Trump rally, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FBI Director Kash Patel, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and more.  A sprawling 110-foot light-adorned Ferris Wheel and the US Capitol Building also cast a picturesque backdrop behind the venue as planes streaked overhead. Trump anthem 'God Bless the USA' was played by Lee Greenwood, FBI Director Kash Patel's girlfriend, country music singer Alexis Wilkins, sang the National Anthem and opera singer Christopher Macchio belted a beautiful serenade.  Thousands of Americans from across the country came to witness the opening ceremony. The fair runs from Wednesday until July 10 and has various themed events for 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) fans and musical guest performances.  Trump's speaking at the kick-off came after a high-profile scandal where many of the original musical acts booked for the fair dropped out within days of being announced.  Freedom 250, a Trump-aligned fundraising group, led the charge on the fair and past events like the UFC White House fight, among other projects for the anniversary. Shortly after Freedom 250 proudly announced the fair and its lineup of roughly nine performers, nearly all dropped out, citing concerns of the event being tied to Trump.  There were four seperate US Air Force flyovers all using different formations, uncluding this B-2 bomber flanked by F-35A fighter jets The crowd cheered ballistically after the flyovers passed overhead Performers like Bret Michaels, The Commodores and Martina McBride released statements backing out of the deal, some of them saying they were tricked and didn't know of the event's political nexus.  Vanilla Ice and Flo Rida never canceled, it should be noted, but it is unclear if they are still scheduled to perform at the fair.  The military bands and Trump-selected performers, Secretary Duffy declared, were 'so much better than those libtards who canceled on us.'  The comments below have not been moderated. 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