Trump inserts himself into the centre of America's 250th birthday celebrations

Instead of a uniting event, America's Independence Day celebrations are becoming yet another partisan battleground. Trump inserts himself into America's 250th birthday celebrations Watch: UFC arena construction begins at White House ahead of fight 'It's not a swimming pool' - Americans react to Trump's reflecting pool makeover How Trump is transforming Washington — by adding his face everywhere Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Donald Trump speaking to workers at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which is undergoing renovations ahead of celebrations for America's 250th birthday Trump speaking in front of a line of workers in front of a work truck Trump inserts himself into the centre of America's 250th birthday celebrations As a growing list of musical acts announced they were dropping out of, or had never agreed to participate in, a series of concerts celebrating the 250th anniversary of America's independence, Donald Trump said that he didn't need them anyway. musical acts announced they were dropping out of, or had never agreed to participate in, a series of concerts celebrating the 250th anniversary of America's independence, Donald Trump said that he didn't need them anyway. "I don't want so-called 'artists' that get paid far too much money, who aren't happy," the president wrote on Truth Social. "I only want to be surrounded by happy people, smart people, successful people and people that know how to win." The president instructed his "representatives" to look into making him the featured attraction of a planned 16-day "Great American State Fair" celebration on the National Mall in Washington DC later this month. The president instructed his "representatives" to look into making him the featured attraction of a planned 16-day "Great American State Fair" celebration on the National Mall While it's unclear whether the musicians will in fact be replaced by what Trump has called a "giant Make America Great Again Rally", it would only be the latest, most pointed illustration of how the president has inserted himself directly into America's Independence Day celebrations. While it's unclear whether the musicians will in fact be replaced by what Trump has called a "giant Make America Great Again Rally", it would only be the latest, most pointed illustration of how the president has inserted himself directly into America's Independence Day celebrations. Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump frequently has reflected on how his four-year break from the presidency means that he now is serving a second term during historic national events – including this year's World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and America's 250th birthday celebrations. The last of these, with its red-white-and-blue pageantry dripping with patriotic pride, seems to be of particular interest to the president. Workers construct a UFC fighting ring ahead of a planned UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House. While the US Congress established an "America 250" commission to oversee the celebrations a decade ago, Trump-backed groups formed a competing, privately funded "Freedom 250" committee to host their own events. The current list includes the state fair on the National Mall, a UFC fight at the White House, a physical fitness competition in Orlando, Florida, an August Grand Prix race through the streets of Washington and what Trump is billing as the world's largest fireworks display on the Fourth of July. The current list includes the state fair on the National Mall, a , a physical fitness competition in Orlando, Florida, an August Grand Prix race through the streets of Washington and what Trump is billing as the world's largest fireworks display on the Fourth of July. The president frequently boasts of these events on social media, including through AI-generated images of him waving a green flag to kick off the street race and standing in front of an octagon fighting ring by the White House, flanked by lightning. America 250, by contrast, is decidedly smaller, sponsoring art exhibits and coordinated "block parties" across the country. Trump also focused on "beautification" projects around Washington in preparation for months of events. Fountains in Sheridan Circle, Meridian Park and Columbus Circle – among more than a dozen others - have been repaired. Lafayette Park, across from the White House, is currently closed for significant renovations. A contractor is resurfacing the reflecting pool that stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument – albeit with some concern over funding and the methods used. contractor is resurfacing the reflecting pool that stretches between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument – albeit with some concern over funding and the methods used. Watch: "It's not a swimming pool" - Americans react to Trump's reflecting pool makeover Splitscreen. Left, a man with a beard and a baseball hat. Right, a contractor spray paints the reflecting pool basin. Four bronze horse statues that stand near Memorial Bridge are set to be coated with 23.75 karat gold leaf. Crews have repaved streets in downtown Washington and repainted lamp posts. In talking about the renovations, Trump has at times sounded more like a municipal official than the leader of a global superpower - for example, devoting more than 20 minutes to the improvements during last week's Cabinet meeting. "I love construction," the president, who spent much of his adult life as a real-estate developer, said. "DC is looking beautiful." Last month, the US Commission of Fine Arts also approved the construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial – although the project requires further approval and faces legal challenges from critics. Last month, the US Commission of Fine Arts also approved the construction of a 250-foot triumphal arch across the Potomac from the Lincoln Memorial – although the project requires further approval and faces legal challenges from critics. Independence Day celebration efforts have stretched throughout Trump's administration, as top aides and advisers take steps to directly tie the current president to festivities. In March, the US Treasury approved a commemorative gold coin featuring Trump standing at a desk. Last week, Treasury secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that his department also was working on a special $250 note with Trump's face – although putting a living president on currency would require congressional approval. standing at a desk. Last week, Treasury secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that his department also was working on a – although putting a living president on currency would require congressional approval. That latest move prompted sharp condemnations from Democrats, who appear united in their opposition. "Get over yourself," Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic leader in the House of Representatives, wrote on X. "The upcoming July 4th anniversary is not about a wannabe king. It is about celebrating the American journey." Trump and his officials deride such criticism as unpatriotic and claim the administration's efforts befit a momentous occasion. The result, however, is a celebration that, instead of being a unifying event, has become yet another partisan battleground, as Trump presides over a nation as sharply divided as ever. Watch: How Trump is transforming Washington — by adding his face everywhere On the left, Sarah Smith in a green blazer. On the right, Donald Trump's face on a banner hanging ouside a building. A plan for an arch across from the Lincoln Memorial is seen on the Resolute Desk as US President Donald Trump meets with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington DC on 9 October 2025. What we know about White House plans for an 'Arc de Trump' A close up of signage that says The Donald J Trump and John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts on 16 May 2026 in Washington DC. US judge orders Trump's name be removed from Kennedy Center How Trump is transforming Washington - by adding his face everywhere Melissa Casias' case was part of debunked speculations about recent deaths and disappearances in the US scientific community. Inquiry will look at whether Australia will receive the submarines and whether it will make the country safer. Police say Jing S Dong was driving a tour bus in a "criminally negligent manner" when he plowed into cars and killed five people. The justice department says it "disagrees strongly" with a court decision to halt the establishment of the fund. Under pressure from the polls and Gulf allies, the White House is pushing for a deal but Iran wants concessions, writes BBC's international editor. An AI video of President Trump’s name being ripped off the front of the building has been seen by millions online. Iran and the US say they have carried out fresh strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, with Kuwait condemning "repeated" Iranian attacks. Trump's former vice-president, who was targeted by rioters during the January 6 riots, says the fund that could potentially compensate them is a "bad idea".