WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump is set to launch the United States’ 250th Independence Day celebrations with a speech at Mount Rushmore before headlining a major July 4 rally in Washington, as the nation marks its milestone anniversary against a backdrop of deep political division.
Trump will address supporters beneath the monument featuring presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
The appearance reflects his efforts to place himself at the centre of the country’s semiquincentennial celebrations, with some Republican supporters even proposing legislation to add his likeness to the famous granite monument.
On Independence Day, Trump will hold a campaign-style rally on the National Mall, featuring military flyovers and what he has described as the world’s largest fireworks display.
Political analysts say the celebrations have increasingly become a platform for Trump to strengthen Republican support ahead of November’s midterm elections.
Republicans are concerned that his low approval ratings, weighed down by the Iran conflict and cost-of-living pressures, could threaten the party’s control of Congress.
The anniversary events have also faced criticism.
A Trumplinked organisation, Freedom 250, has taken a leading role in organising many celebrations, prompting some to accuse the commemorations of becoming overly partisan.
Attendance at several events, including a “Great American State Fair” in Washington, has reportedly been lower than expected.
Adding to the challenges, a severe heatwave is forecast to grip much of the United States during the holiday weekend, with temperatures in Washington expected to reach about 41°C.
Despite political divisions, many Americans still view Independence Day as a time for national celebration.
However, recent polling by Quinnipiac University found that 61 per cent of respondents believe the country is not living up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, underscoring the contrasting views that continue to shape the nation 250 years after its founding. – AFP
