Trump Launches Yearlong America 250th Celebration Across US

President Donald Trump has launched a yearlong celebration to mark the United States' 250th anniversary, beginning with a speech and rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The festivities, named the Great American State Fair, will travel to fairs nationwide and culminate in a major event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in July 2026, featuring exhibits from all 50 states and patriotic programming such as the Patriot Games, a youth athletic competition. Trump also plans to create a new National Garden of American Heroes, a park with statues honoring 250 American figures, funded by legislation he championed known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. While originally intended as a bipartisan commemoration, some observers and media outlets express concern that the celebration may take on a distinctly Trump-centric tone. Supporters, including U.S. Ambassador Monica Crowley, praise Trump as embodying America's revolutionary spirit and fulfilling the role of president with patriotic zeal. This yearlong celebration follows Trump's recent military parade in Washington, D.C., underscoring his emphasis on patriotic imagery and national pride during his presidency.