Trump set to launch America250 festivities with a rally on the National Mall

Trump set to launch America250 festivities with a rally on the National MallTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Watch: How Trump is transforming Washington — by adding his face everywherePublished3 June 2026Updated 42 minutes agoPresident Donald Trump will kick off weeks of festivities celebrating America's 250th birthday with a rally on the National Mall in the nation's capital on Wednesday evening.The event is expected to feature a flyover by "some of the nation's most iconic fighter jets and stealth bombers", military bands, a performance by God Bless the USA singer Lee Greenwood, and a speech from the president."It's going to be essentially a rally, but we'll call it a rally to America, we're honoring the 250th, and it's going to be something very, very special," Trump said in a video posted on social media.Trump announced his plans to be the event headliner after several musicians cancelled their performances because of concerns that the celebrations had been politicised.A range of events have been planned to celebrate America's 250th birthday, including the rally on Wednesday tied to "The Great American State Fair" on the National Mall in Washington DC.Organisers say these festivities are to commemorate the anniversary, but certain events, including those funded by a body that supports Trump, are leading to questions around whether the celebrations could become politicised.America250, one of the groups planning celebrations, was established by Congress ten years ago to plan nonpartisan events. Freedom 250, another organisation also planning events, was created by Trump and is a public-private partnership.Congress has reportedly allocated $150m (£112m) in federal funds for the birthday celebration. Millions more appear to be spent by Freedom 250.Both America250 and Freedom 250 are expected to host large events as part of...