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President Donald Trump vowed Saturday to deliver what the White House is calling a “historic” speech celebrating America’s 250th anniversary despite severe thunderstorms sweeping through Washington.
Trump was originally expected to take the stage at 10 p.m. at the conclusion of the Salute to America celebration on the National Mall, though timing of events may fluctuate due to adverse weather, per a senior White House official.
Following the 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.
“I’m going through bad weather. No matter what happens, I am delivering this speech,” Trump said during a phone call with ‘ Bret Baier.
Trump’s comments came after Baier interviewed World War II veterans who had taken shelter after the event was temporarily postponed because of severe weather.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a rally at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on July 3, 2026, in Keystone, South Dakota. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“It’s America 250. If they can storm the beaches on D-Day, I can deliver a speech and we can keep this program going,” Trump told Baier.
Trump added in a post on Truth Social, “It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight.”
The president’s address is expected to look back on America’s history since its founding 250 years ago, a senior White House official told .
Trump will deliver a “unique” speech featuring the stories of American heroes.
“It will be a unique speech unlike any other he’s given before,” the official added.
Earlier Saturday, Trump celebrated what he described as a “stronger than ever” America in a Truth Social post, praising the “incredible” crowds gathered in Washington despite the heat and storms.
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The grand finale lasted over two minutes to cap a 23-minute light and fireworks display over Mount Rushmore after President Donald Trump’s 28-minute speech, brief by his lengthy standards. (Matt Gade)
The president also highlighted the air shows over the nation’s capital, saying the pilots and aircraft were “at a level never seen before.”
Trump also addressed recent vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, calling those responsible “Vandal Thugs” and promising the pool would be drained and repaired after the holiday weekend.
The president’s remarks come one day after he delivered a patriotic speech at Mount Rushmore, where he called the United States the “most exceptional nation ever to exist” and warned that communism posed the nation’s greatest threat.
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The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a flyover during “Salute to America 250” Fourth of July celebrations on the National Mall on July 4, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Finn Gomez/Getty Images)
“Communism is the exact opposite of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness — it is death, tyranny and the pursuit of evil.
A severe thunderstorm swept through Washington on Saturday evening, prompting emergency officials to urge people on the National Mall to seek shelter.
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Freedom 250 said it would provide updates on the evening’s schedule as weather conditions developed.
