The American President opens his country’s anniversary celebrations in Washington. His supporters cheer him enthusiastically. Trump opponents are also celebrating in the audience.
June 25, 2026, 06:06June 25, 2026, 06:06
Donald Trump is dancing because his country is celebrating its 250th birthday this summer.Image: keystone
The American president opened the “most unforgettable birthday party” that a country has ever experienced with a speech on Wednesday. Donald Trump spoke on the National Mall, the park area in central Washington. Traditionally, the population of the capital gathers there on July 4th to celebrate “Independence Day” together. Because there is a big birthday coming up this year, the 250th, the party is taking a little longer. The “Great American State Fair” begins on Thursday: a Chilbi with a concert stage, Ferris wheel and food stalls.
However, Trump did not focus on the events of 1776, when the American colonies broke away from Great Britain, at the center of his surprisingly short speech. (“What a time it was,” he said of the Revolutionary War.) His country’s long history was worth only a few platitudes to him.
Rather, Trump used the opportunity to give a condensed version of his traditional campaign speech for almost 30 minutes. This was brimming with superlatives and self-praise. The president not only repeated the statement that his country’s economy was “the hottest” and was therefore admired by the whole world. After the temporary end of the Iran War, he also announced peace in the Middle East, “for the first time in the past 3,000 years.”
And so it continues happily. Trump speaks highly of his attempts to transform the capital. He announces the construction of a triumphal arch and claims that the planned ballroom at the White House will be completed “soon.” The president also enjoys how previous speakers showered him with compliments. His Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described him as “the greatest president this country has ever had since George Washington.”
Trump fan defends the president
These sounds, no matter how boastful they come across, are met with approval from most of those present. Cheers can be heard again and again. Several thousand people gathered on this cozy summer evening in the comparatively small festival area. Many wear Trump hats or clothing with presidential slogans. David Hall for example. The Cuban native, 77 years old, sits a little away from the stage, but stands out from the crowd thanks to his red cap and red T-shirt.
Hall says Trump is the “best president in at least 40 years.” He therefore doesn’t hold it against him that he quickly appointed himself the evening’s “headliner” after the musicians originally booked canceled their appearance for political reasons.
David Hall, a big fan of the American president.Image: Renzo Ruf
Actually, says Hall, on an evening like this the whole country should come together and celebrate together. But many people, “incited by the media,” unfortunately targeted the president and exploited Trump’s every appearance. To the constant critics of the president, Hall says: “We don’t need you.” Trump is the “star” of the country and he thinks it’s good that he is now at the center of the event.
In the eyes of Trump fans, the president simply cannot lose. No matter what he does, the die-hard supporters are thrilled. They are happy when he dances to his favorite song “YMCA”. And they find it amusing how he praises his political allies and lambastes the Democrats.
“No one can steal my patriotism”
Daniel Kohn, who is sitting in the shade with his wife, just rolls his eyes. He thinks Trump is a “damn scumbag,” although the American formulation sounds even cruder than the German translation of the insult.
The festival grounds in Washington where Donald Trump opened the celebrations for the 250th birthday of the USA on Wednesday evening.Image: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP
But Kohn is also proud of his country, and no one – especially not Trump – “can steal my patriotism,” he says “Switzerland Today.” That’s why he’s now enjoying the free party with his wife, enthusiastically clapping to the US Marines’ orchestra and enjoying the “flyovers” of the American Air Force. “There is nothing better” than a stealth bomber or an F-35 thundering over the capital, says Kohn. “And I get annoyed with Trump when there are things that are worth getting upset about.”
When asked whether there were many people in the audience who thought similarly to him, Kohn said: “I think so.” But he’s not sure. (schweiztoday.ch)