Trump to – President Donald Trump is set to speak around 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 24, as the Great American State Fair Kick-Off Celebration begins at 7 p.m. ET on the National Mall. The free public event includes major military flyovers, performances by Lee Greenw
When the doors open at 3:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 24, the scene on the National Mall will be built for spectacle—military honor guards, specialty units from federal agencies, and a lineup of performers framed as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
President Donald Trump will take the stage as the Great American State Fair Kick-Off Celebration gets underway at 7 p.m. ET, with an expected speech time around 8:30 p.m. ET. The organizers promise music and military flyovers. including from the F-16 Viper Demo Team and “some of the nation’s most iconic fighter jets and stealth bombers. ” as Freedom 250 coordinates the kickoff event and the subsequent 16-day Great American State Fair.
The moment is set to arrive after a day already charged with political tension around the event itself. Freedom 250 had originally planned a 16-day concert series. but many musicians backed out of performing. citing the event’s perceived political affiliation and confusion over what they signed up for. Trump later criticized those musicians in a May 20 Truth Social post. saying they had “the yips” and that he planned to organize what he called an “AMERICA IS BACK Rally. ” adding that he was “the Number One Attraction anywhere in the World” and the “man who gets much larger audiences than Elvis in his prime.”.
That shift—from concert lineup to rally-style kickoff—is part of what will shape how the public experiences Wednesday night.
Music, flyovers and performances for the kickoff
Trump’s speech is scheduled inside the broader celebration, which organizers describe as the beginning of the Great American State Fair. The music portion will be handled by “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, the U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and Armed Forces choirs.
Special musical performances are planned by country singer Lee Greenwood and opera singer Christopher Macchio. Ceremonial presentations are also scheduled as part of the event. featuring military honor guards and specialty units from the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service, and U.S. Forest Service, along with Military District of Washington.
The flyovers add another layer of high-profile imagery, with the F-16 Viper Demo Team among the announced participants and other aircraft described as iconic fighter jets and stealth bombers.
Trump’s own message sets the tone
In a video post on social media platform X on June 22. Trump described what the kickoff will feel like: “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.” He added. “You’re going to love it. We’re going to all have a lot of fun together.”.
Speakers and who is on the program
The program also includes speakers scheduled to appear during the kickoff celebration. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are listed, along with Chief of Protocol Ambassador Monica Crowley. Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Officer Jocko Willink is scheduled to speak. as is Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Frank Siller.
How to watch the kickoff celebration
The event is expected to be carried across multiple outlets. On Fox News Channel, “Special Report with Bret Baier” is set for 6–7 p.m. ET (3–4 p.m. PT), followed by “The Ingraham Angle” from 7–8 p.m. ET (4–5 p.m. PT), both live from the National Mall on Wednesday night.
Other coverage is scheduled on CSPAN2 and Newsmax. Freedom 250 is expected to stream the event online, along with the Right Side Broadcasting Network YouTube channel.
How to attend in person
The kickoff celebration and the Great American State Fair are free and open to the public. While walkups are welcome, people can register for free tickets on the Freedom 250 website.
On Wednesday, June 24, doors open at 3:30 p.m. ET for the kickoff event. During the Great American State Fair itself, doors will open at 10 a.m. ET.
A fair that some states won’t fully staff
The June 24 kickoff—including Trump’s speech—marks the start of the Great American State Fair, which runs from June 25 to July 10.
Organizers had expected the fair to include exhibits from all 50 U.S. states and territories, but some states have said they will not allocate resources to the event. That decision is part of the backdrop as Freedom 250 tries to stage a nationwide celebration while the political and logistical friction around it continues.
The event’s evolution—from a planned 16-day concert series to what Trump calls an “AMERICA IS BACK Rally”—and the choice by some states to opt out of resource commitments have left Wednesday night as the clearest focal point: a high-visibility kickoff intended to unify the celebration. even as participation disputes remain visible on the sidelines.
Trump Great American State Fair Freedom 250 National Mall June 24 7 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Lee Greenwood Christopher Macchio F-16 Viper Demo Team CSPAN2 Newsmax Fox News