President Donald Trump vowed Saturday to deliver what the White House called a “historic” speech marking America’s 250th anniversary despite severe thunderstorms that swept through Washington, a senior White House official said. Emergency officials urged people on the National Mall to seek shelter as the storms moved through the area.
The address was originally expected to begin at 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the Salute to America celebration, the senior White House official told Fox News, but the timing could fluctuate because of adverse weather. After a delay, a spokesperson for Freedom 250, the event organizer, said Trump was expected to take the stage around 11 p.m., followed by a fireworks display.
Trump, speaking in a phone call with Fox News’ Bret Baier, said he intended to deliver the speech regardless of the weather. “I’m going through bad weather. No matter what happens, I am delivering this speech,” Trump said. He told Baier, “If they can storm the beaches on D-Day, I can deliver a speech and we can keep this program going,” according to the interview.
A senior White House official told Fox News the address would look back on the nation’s 250 years and would be “a unique speech unlike any other he’s given before,” featuring the stories of American heroes. Earlier Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that crowds were “incredible” and urged attendees to “have some fun,” and he criticized recent vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, calling those responsible “Vandal Thugs” and saying the pool would be drained and repaired after the holiday weekend.
The president’s remarks followed a patriotic speech at Mount Rushmore the previous day, where he called the United States the “most exceptional nation ever to exist” and warned that communism posed the nation’s greatest threat. Freedom 250 said it would provide updates on the evening’s schedule as weather conditions developed, and Fox News reported that World War II veterans who had taken shelter were interviewed following the temporary postponement.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
