After weeks of controversy, the Great American State Fair is opening, with President Donald Trump ushering in the event.
Kicking it off on Wednesday, June 24, Trump held one of his classic rallies, but with the backdrop of the National Mall and the significance of America turning 250.
From June 25 to July 10, the National Mall in Washington, D.C., will be the site of the Great American State Fair.
There, a ferris wheel has been added to the skyline of the nation’s capital, and the grounds will also see concerts, exhibits, a rodeo and more.
Of course, the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has also been painstakingly renovated, removed of algae, and cleaned — all to coincide with 250 years of America.
All of this awaits attendees of the fair, and Trump welcomed them at his celebratory rally.
Regardless, the celebration of America250 has been a preoccupation for Trump, who has spent much of his time over the past decade of non-consecutive terms in office seeking to restore American pride and spirit.
Back in 2015, when he first announced he was running for president, Trump said, “We need somebody that can take the brand of the United States and make it great again.”
Attendees Sing National Anthem, Hear Rousing Marine Cover Of Toby Keith’s “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue,” And See Dazzling Flyovers
After the United States Ceremonial Flag Unit presented the colors on stage, with flags from all 50 states, Alexis Wilkins performed the National Anthem.
Accompanied by the President’s Own United States Marine Band in leading attendees in the singing of the National Anthem, Wilkins is a country singer who frequently performs the National Anthem at Turning Point USA events.
Wilkins is also, notably, dating FBI Dir. Kash Patel.
Ahead of the performance, Wilkins posted on Instagram, writing, “What a great honor to be a part of the 250th anniversary of our great nation.”
Watch her stunning performance, here:
Country music artist @AlexisWilkins and “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band performs the National Anthem at The Great American State Fair in Washington, DC 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XidkuJAOSK
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 24, 2026
Then, following her performance, Master Gunnery Sgt. Alan Prather of the United States Marine Band performed Toby Keith’s Courtesy of The Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” on acoustic guitar.
Starting on his own, Prather was then joined by the United States Marine Band.
Notably, he did perform the song censored, excluding the famous line about where a boot can go.
Watch Master Gunnery Sgt. Prather’s performance, here:
A TRIBUTE TO AMERICA’S HEROES
In tribute to the men and women who have defended our freedoms, Master Gunnery Sergeant Alan Prather of the President’s United States Marine Band performs Toby Keith’s iconic patriotic anthem, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.” pic.twitter.com/oq28UN3Ab6
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) June 24, 2026
Lee Greenwood Introduces President Trump With Performance Of “God Bless The USA”
Introducing Trump for what he has dubbed as the “America Is Back” rally was Lee Greenwood, who performed his 1984 hit “God Bless The USA,” which has become a staple of Trump political rallies over the past decade.
“Hello America, Freedom 250!” exclaimed Lee Greenwood as he started singing.
While the song is one of his most known and most frequently performed, thanks in part to Trump, Greenwood performed the song with great gusto.
Then, after the first chorus, he said:
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s my privilege to introduce you to the 45th president of the United States and the 47th president of the United States, our commander-in-chief, Donald J. Trump.”
Greenwood was then embraced by Trump as he sang, and a flyover conducted by the F-35 Lightning II went past the Washington Monument and over the crowd.
At the end of the song, Greenwood declared, “God bless our president!”
Watch Greenwood’s performance, here:
WATCH: Lee Greenwood Performs Iconic “God Bless the U.S.A.” Live – 06/24/26 pic.twitter.com/NNT9dosKXS
— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBNetwork) June 25, 2026
See the F-35 flyover, up close, here:
🚨 EPIC! President Trump just personally watched a US Air Force flyover above the National Mall in DC
While Lee Greenwood sings God Bless the USA
GREATEST COUNTRY EVER!
A SEA of patriots are out here! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/hQzNUGIoJs
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 25, 2026
Trump Declares America Is In “A Golden Age” At “America Is Back” Rally
“10 days from now, our country will celebrate one of the most monumental milestone in human history: we will mark 250 years of glorious American freedom,” Trump stated.
Noting that the nation’s founding fathers gathered in 1776 to sign the Declaration of Independence, Trump went on to say, “They proclaimed the eternal truth that we are endowed by our Creator with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We’re all made — and you know that — free and equal by the hand of Almighty God.”
He then stated, “Those timeless American principles did not just win a revolution, but they built us into the greatest, strongest, and most exceptional nation the world has ever known.”
Joking, Trump said, “In the American Revolution, they had a saying, ‘No tax on tea.’ But with the Great, Big, Beautiful Bill, we did even better — we gave you no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and no tax on Social Security.”
Last year, on July 4, 2025, Trump signed the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, which also initiated Trump Accounts which will help parents invest in their children’s future.
Looking to the present, Trump touted that America has the strongest economy and military in the world, and then said, “I am proud to declare that America is back!”
Trump also celebrated the recent signing of the MOU peace deal with Iran, as well as the successful military action in Venezuela at the beginning of the year.
Speaking on the results of the conflict with Iran, known as Operation Epic Fury, he declared:
“For the first time in 3,000 years, we are finally going to have peace in the Middle East.”
Watch the rally, here:
Upcoming Freedom 250 Events, Including The “Largest Fireworks Display In History”
Beyond Trump’s “America Is Back” rally, there are several other events being put on by Freedom 250 to commemorate America’s milestone.
Those events include:
- The Great American State Fair (June 25-July 10);
- Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library opening (July 1);
- Rushmore 250 (July 3);
- Salute To America 250 (July 4); and
- The Patriot Games (Aug. 9).
During Trump’s speech on June 24 at the kick off for the fair, he noted that the fireworks on July 4 in Washington, D.C., will be the largest firework show in history.
“I’ll be very proudly speaking as we ring in our 250th year with the largest fireworks display in world history,” Trump said. “10 times larger than any that we’ve ever done in Washington or anywhere in the United States.”
According to the website for Salute To America 250, there will be “850,000 fireworks shells launched from 10 sites: Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, 8 Potomac River barges, and West Potomac Park.”
The festivities on July 4 begin at 1 p.m., with the live broadcast including guest speakers and the firework show starting at 7 p.m.
See a video of the full schedule of upcoming Freedom 250 events, here:
CELEBRATING 250 YEARS OF AMERICA WITH AN EPIC LINE UP. 🇺🇸
Mark your calendars, here is the upcoming schedule for @Freedom250 events. pic.twitter.com/MHhaqWOXu4
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 24, 2026
