Trump at Mount Rushmore warns of communism

Trump’s communism – President Donald Trump marked the 250th anniversary of American independence with soaring praise of American exceptionalism at Mount Rushmore on Friday—then pivoted sharply into warnings that communism poses a “mortal threat” to American liberty, a turn that l

President Donald Trump began his Independence Day eve speech at Mount Rushmore by lifting the moment with familiar language about American exceptionalism. Then. from the shadow of the country’s carved presidents. he shifted gears into something far darker—warning that communism is a mortal threat to American liberty.

“Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,” Trump said. “It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or even 9/11.”

The setting mattered. Mount Rushmore National Memorial commemorates some of the most prominent U.S. presidents. and the speech arrived during a holiday season that earlier high-profile Independence Day addresses—like those delivered by Gerald Ford or Ronald Reagan—had leaned into something more apolitical and unifying. Instead, Trump’s remarks took on the tone of a political warning.

The language evoked the Red Scare of the 1950s, when alleged communists were persecuted and blacklisted from jobs across America, from Washington to Hollywood.

In New York City. Mayor Zohran Mamdani. a Democratic socialist. delivered his own address that cast the country as a set of contradictions—“working each day towards the perfection in which it was conceived.” He also said. without naming Trump. “For generation after generation. we have been told that when the world has sent its people to our shores. it has not sent its best.” He added that “those ideals upon which our nation was built — they are strong enough to endure any authoritarian regime. but only if we reach for them.”.

For many Americans, though, the holiday began under a different kind of pressure: heat. The evening’s tone played out against a brutal heat wave that gripped much of the eastern portion of the country. with officials urging people celebrating the Fourth to stay hydrated and take air-conditioned breaks as needed.

Cities adjusted quickly. Philadelphia canceled its Salute to Independence parade on Friday. In Washington, the Great American State Fair shut down in the early afternoon before reopening at 5 p.m. The Capitol Fourth concert opened its gates a little later than normal but ultimately moved forward. featuring appearances from Patti LaBelle. Trace Adkins. members of the Artemis II space mission and fireworks over George Washington’s Mount Vernon. An Independence Day parade scheduled for Saturday in Washington was canceled.

On the National Mall, hundreds of people roamed early Friday afternoon, stopping for photos of flyovers and looking for ways to cool off. They sheltered in tents selling $9 lemonades and $23 turkey legs as sweat gathered on faces dressed in patriotic colors.

The day’s politics were still visible even in the crowd. Glenn Brooks—pardoned by Trump for his participation in the Jan. 6. 2021. attack on the Capitol—said he was “thankful to be participating in this grand event.” The holiday’s activity culminates Saturday with fireworks erupting across the country. along with backyard cookouts and block parties. Trump is also expected to deliver another speech at the National Mall in Washington ahead of what’s being billed as a historically massive fireworks show.

Even as the eastern U.S. baked, the Pacific Northwest felt a very different reality. Temperatures there were in the 60s, with even a few light showers. In Seattle, World Cup soccer fans stayed cool while getting psyched up for Monday’s game between the U.S. and Belgium.

Nearby in Issaquah, Megan Kurowski, 31, brought her two dogs to a dog park so they could get exercise before she went to work. Kurowski said she was feeling positive about America’s 250th anniversary and was planning a possible paddleboard to watch the fireworks.

“Everyone’s just, from what it seems, been pretty excited about celebrating 250 years,” she said.

For many people, the anniversary has become a moment to look backward and forward at the same time—especially as polarization defines so much of the present.

That tension showed up in Washington’s holiday programming. Freedom 250. an organization aligned with the White House. has come to rival America250. a bipartisan group founded by Congress a decade ago. Freedom 250 has organized much of the activity in Washington, including the Great American State Fair. America250 is behind the ball drops in many cities. including New York. and will host a concert in Los Angeles on Saturday.

Public mood reflects the split too. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults feel “proud” about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to an April survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Roughly 3 in 10 said “excited” describes their emotions.

In Topeka, Kansas, auto technician Joe Fuqua-Bejarano focused on something smaller than party language as he stood at a fireworks stand where he was running a booming side business. He said the best of America wasn’t politics—it was resilience.

“We’ve just all got to find unity somewhere, whether that’s in laughter or perseverance, and keep everybody cool,” Fuqua-Bejarano said.

Christina Zhou, 25, a research assistant from Cambridge, Massachusetts, said she would try to anchor the day in what she can influence.

“It feels a little bit more like within our own personal control,” Zhou said. She added that she would aim to “think about just things that are happening locally.”

Not everyone even knew the anniversary was underway. Jerry Chin, of Newcastle, Washington, said he wasn’t aware that the U.S. was celebrating its 250th anniversary. He planned to keep things low-key around the holiday. He and his wife generally skip fireworks and instead stay home with their fearful dogs to keep them calm.

“America’s a great place, but there are some concerns,” Chin said. He and his wife worry about healthcare and about staying healthy, but they also stress about politics.

“We’re Democrats, so kind of given up hope,” Chin said. “Just feel that it is the way it is. I don’t know if there could be change.”

Inside Washington’s National Archives, visitors moved through the Rotunda to look at the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights—seeking relief from the heat outside.

Michael Dresdner, 60, traveled from West Orange, New Jersey, with his wife, Cindi, 57, and about two dozen other people to be part of the America250 celebrations. Dresdner said their group included people on both sides of the political aisle, and that shared presence is what gave him hope.

“We are all here, and we all love America,” Dresdner said.

Donald Trump Mount Rushmore communism threat Independence Day 250th anniversary American exceptionalism Red Scare Zohran Mamdani Freedom 250 America250 National Mall Great American State Fair Capitol Fourth Philadelphia parade cancellation Philadelphia Salute to Independence Artemis II World Cup U.S. Belgium Monday National Archives Declaration of Independence