DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — In a grand celebration aimed at unifying the nation, President Donald Trump kicked off a yearlong birthday party to commemorate 250 years of American independence.
On Thursday, he made his way to the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, where he celebrated both the impending festivities and the final passage of his extensive tax cuts and spending package.
This significant legislation was pushed through the House in a narrow vote of 218-214, just hours before Trump’s appearance.
The celebrations are seen as an opportunity to bring together a deeply polarized nation and reduce partisanship, a challenge that many view as monumental given the current societal divides and strong opposition from Democrats regarding the 800-plus page package, which encompasses many of the GOP’s primary policy goals.
Polls indicate that public sentiment is mixed about Trump’s presidency, with more people disapproving of his performance than approving.
“We’ve had so much division and so much polarization over the last many decades,” said a White House spokesperson. “The 250th birthday is a chance for us to celebrate patriotism and shared values.”
The choice of Iowa as the launch site was described as “logical” due to its central geography and Trump’s historical popularity in the state, which has supported him in the last three general elections.
“The center of the country symbolizes our desire to unite,” the spokesperson explained.
A recent Gallup poll revealed a significant partisan divide in feelings of patriotism, noting that only about a third of Democrats reported being proud to be American, compared to nearly 90% of Republicans.
Further highlighting this division, approximately 40% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s presidency, according to a June AP-NORC poll, whereas around 60% expressed disapproval.
The poll also showed that most Americans viewed the recently planned military parade for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday, as an inappropriate use of government funds.
As the nation gears up for a year of celebrations, the Trump administration’s budget cuts pose challenges to many planned events.
Specifically, reduced funding has forced the National Endowment for the Humanities to revoke grants from state humanities councils nationwide, directly affecting events set to commemorate the anniversary.
Gabrielle Lyon, the executive director of Illinois Humanities and chair of the Illinois America 250 Commission, confirmed that these cuts have already restricted several local programs, including community readings of the Declaration of Independence.
“The local ability to celebrate and make this mean something for each community is severely impacted without funding,” Lyon pointed out.
The upcoming year will see celebrations aimed at bridging the ideological gaps in the country, despite some skepticism.
In preparation for America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, different parts of the country are expected to engage in a variety of events designed to stave off divisions.
“When I look back to our last major birthday celebration in 1976, a time deeply marked by the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, it was a critical moment for uniting the country,” Crowley remarked.
Crowley continued, expressing hope that the forthcoming celebrations would resonate positively during today’s challenging political climate.
“We need a renewed sense of civic pride to lift up our spirits across the nation,” she emphasized.
Trump himself has expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming festivities.
“We’re gonna have a big, big celebration for 250 years,” he stated during a Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery. “In some ways, I’m glad I missed that second term, I wouldn’t be your president for this.”
Circulating video footage from May 2023 captures Trump discussing the concept of a “Great American State Fair” in Iowa, following his re-election last November.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds assured the White House earlier this year that Iowa was “ready” to host the event, further showcasing the state’s investment in the upcoming national celebration.
Although the main event will eventually be held on the National Mall in Washington, Trump honored his initial idea with the celebration kickoff in Iowa, which is known for its political significance.
The Thursday event featured musical performances, including a display by Lee Greenwood, whose patriotic song “God Bless the USA” frequently accompanies Trump’s rallies and other official functions.
Also in attendance were Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, reinforcing the nationwide involvement expected during the year of celebrations.
As the year unfolds, many await to see if these events can indeed heal some of the nation’s divisions while honoring the historical significance of America’s independence.
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