Trump blames vandals for damaged grass in the spot where he held his July 4 celebration | PBS News

The photo Trump posted matches what you'd expect to see with a large summer event, according to Penn State University turf professor John Kaminski. 

"Nothing in the photograph clearly indicates vandalism. Jumping to that conclusion seems like a fairly large leap, although it is impossible to rule anything in or out," he said…

 https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-blames-vandals-for-damaged-grass-in-the-spot-where-he-held-his-july-4-celebration

 

Freedom 250 seeks $10 million more for July Fourth celebrations : NPR

"It is unacceptable to ask the American people to bail out Freedom 250," he wrote, referring to the group that President Trump created last year to oversee anniversary celebrations, which critics say he did to bypass a bipartisan group that already existed...

 https://www.npr.org/2026/07/30/nx-s1-5913172/freedom-250-july-fourth-10-million

 

How America's Foundation was Built on Propaganda

What is the true meaning of the 4th of July and American independence? This special episode of A People's History of Native America argues that the 4th of July’s roots are further from patriotism and closer to propaganda. Rather than independence, this day represents the centuries-long seizure and ethnic cleansing of Native American land. By looking at the history surrounding the American Revolution, we will uncover that Native Americans were an unexpected threat to the founders’ vision for their future country and plans for Westward expansion.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw3C_hkt8PE

Trump Said "We Rule" Out Loud | Paula Poundstone

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YCY7fwxvsEk

Trump announces July Fourth ‘TRUMP RALLY’ on National Mall - POLITICO

… California Democratic Rep. Jared Huffman accused the administration of trying to “hijack the country’s 250th anniversary and sell access, hide his donors and rewrite history.”…

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/06/15/trump-announces-july-fourth-rally-00962105

 

History Minute (045): Frederick Douglass: "What to the American slave is your Fourth of July?"

As found in Zinn's book, Frederick Douglass gave this speech on the Fourth of July, 1852:

"Fellow Citizens: Pardon me, and allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here today? What have I or those I represent to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? And am I, therefore, called upon to bring our humble offering to the national altar, and to confess the benefits, and express devout gratitude for the blessings resulting from your independence to us? . . .

What to the American slave is your Fourth of July? I answer, a day that reveals to him more than all other days of the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass-fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are to him mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy—a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages. There is not a nation of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour.

Go where you may, search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival. . . ."

Excerpt From

A People's History of the United States

Howard Zinn

 

This Fourth of July, it’s worth pondering the true meaning of patriotism

True patriots don't fuel racist, religious or ethnic divisions. Patriots seek to confirm and strengthen and celebrate the 'we' in 'we the people of the United States'…

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/04/us-patriotism-true-meaning

Frederick Douglass: Historic US black activist's statue toppled - BBC News

It appears to have been vandalised on 5 July - the anniversary of a famous speech the former slave gave in 1852. In it he said Independence Day celebrations were a sham in a nation that still enslaved its black citizens.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53311558

On the Fourth of July, ask when patriotism became synonymous with selfishness

Real American patriotism should be about supporting each other and showing up to vote for (and be) leaders who take care of all of our communities.
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/fourth-july-ask-when-patriotism-became-synonymous-selfishness-ncna1232392

Trump Uses Mount Rushmore Event to Sic Supporters on ‘Evil’ Protesters

President Donald Trump devoted his Fourth of July weekend speech at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota on Friday night not to uniting the country for Independence Day, but to trying to own the libs who take issue with the Confederate statues he sees as vital to American culture. https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-uses-mount-rushmore-event-to-sic-supporters-on-evil-protesters

FORGETTYSBURG ADDRESS - A Sandy and Richard Riccardi Parody

https://youtu.be/qSY0jMmygaM

This July 4th Has Everything: Tanks, Trump—and Scandal - The Daily Beast

"I'm a little concerned that the optics may not play very positively for the fireworks industry," said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/this-july-4th-has-everything-tanks-trumpand-scandal

Veterans 'Feel Deeply Betrayed' By Trump in July 4 Video Impeachment Call - Newsweek

As President Donald Trump geared up for his military-style "Salute to America" Fourth of July parade and celebration, some veterans voiced how they felt betrayed by him in video calling for his impeachment. "I served almost 15 years in the Army and I feel deeply betrayed," veteran Jose Vasquez says in a video produced in light of Independence Day. "Our democracy is under attack and we want to make sure that we protect it."
https://www.newsweek.com/veterans-betrayed-trump-july-4-1447464

Trump’s hijacking of the Fourth of July just got a lot uglier - The Washington Post

The authoritarian nationalist leader typically rewrites the story of the nation in his own image, in a very particular way. Our own homegrown authoritarian nationalist has proved particularly devoted to this fusion of national mythmaking and self-hagiography, often delivered in his own unique language of crass, gaudy spectacle...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/07/03/trumps-hijacking-july-th-just-got-lot-uglier/

Giant robot Trump tweeting on toilet coming to DC to protest Fourth celebration - The Hill

A giant robot designed to look like President Trump tweeting while sitting on the toilet, which made its debut in London during the president’s recent visit, will follow the president to D.C. on July 4 to protest his “Salute to America” celebration ...
https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/451607-giant-trump-robot-tweeting-on-toilet-being-brought-to-dc-to

Trump's July 4 extravaganza sets a political trap - CNN Politics

Donald Trump's attempt to make July Fourth great again is turning into an eloquent metaphor for the excesses and polarization of his presidency.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/07/03/politics/donald-trump-july-4-military-politics-parade/index.html

The ‘Baby Trump’ balloon is coming to Washington, but don’t look up to see it - The Washington Post

A permit will allow Code Pink to station the balloon near the Washington Monument for 15 hours.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/the-baby-trump-balloon-is-coming-to-washington-but-dont-look-up-to-see-it/2019/07/02/fea476f0-98f3-11e9-916d-9c61607d8190_story.html

Trump’s latest Fourth of July celebration demand is something else - ThinkProgress.org

President Donald Trump is hosting his own Fourth of July celebration at the Lincoln Memorial this year, complete with a VIP section for which taxpayers will foot the bill. The latest wrinkle, according to The Washington Post: Trump has insisted on having tanks and other armed military vehicles present for the celebration. ....
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-tanks-fourth-of-july-celebration-af0677c162ac/

Protesters want to fly ‘Baby Trump’ balloon during the president’s Fourth of July address in Washington - The Washington Post

Code Pink originally raised money to bring the blimp to Washington for Trump's canceled military parade.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/protesters-want-to-fly-baby-trump-balloon-during-the-presidents-fourth-of-july-address-in-washington/2019/06/11/1a6d46b6-8bbe-11e9-b08e-cfd89bd36d4e_story.html

Trump Says He Wants July 4th Military Parade in Washington -- Bloomberg

President Donald Trump mused Monday about holding a French-style military parade in Washington during the U.S. July Fourth celebration. ...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-18/trump-says-he-may-hold-july-fourth-military-parade-in-washington