Freedom 250’s “Great American State Fair” opened on the National Mall yesterday – just not with a concert, as initially planned. Instead, Donald Trump gave a half-hour speech, telling the crowd, “We have the greatest people on earth,” as fighter jets and B-2 bombers flew overhead.
There was a lot of talk of “the greatest” from the President’s warm-up acts. The greatest firework celebration, the greatest state fair, the greatest kickoff, the greatest president, the greatest country. Speaker after speaker drummed that word into the heads of the few thousand-strong crowd.
Trump danced his way off stage and the crowd stood up cheering
Musicians sang about pride in the country and a commitment to God. With the Marine Corps band present on stage from 7 p.m. onward, politicians, musicians and preachers took turns riling up the crowd for the country’s upcoming birthday.
Members of President Trump’s cabinet had kicked off the event, speaking of the administration’s victories and what is to come in the next two years. The crowd seemed responsive yet unenthusiastic, attempting “U-S-A” chants that quickly died out. Strong reactions from the crowd, filled with MAGA hats and merch, were elicited when President Trump’s name was specifically mentioned, as did phrases like “libtards” and “have lots of kids.”
A preacher from North Carolina succeeded members of the cabinet, speaking of freedom in the Bible and encouraging the crowd to join him in prayer. While most complied by bowing their heads, some looked around awkwardly. The lack of applause from the crowd underscored the unexpectedness of this element of the line-up.
Religion remained front and center from the next segment of the kickoff as the Marine Corps choir sang “Amazing Grace.” Christopher Macchio followed, staying on theme by singing “Hallelujah” and “Ave Maria.”
After other speeches and performances, Lee Greenwood took the stage to sing his well-known song, popularized by President Trump in his second term, “God Bless the USA.” After finishing the first verse, President Trump walked on stage, joining Greenwood before starting his speech.
The President got the crowd on their feet several times, speaking about his wins in Iran, regulation of transgender surgeries, gas and oil drilling successes, and safety in Washington, DC, even speaking of vandals at the reflecting pool. Speaking of Iran and Venezuela, President Trump hinted at solving conflicts with other countries, saying, “I guess we have other things in store, but we don’t want to get carried away.”
Trump also made a point to bring up various Founding Fathers and political figures, quoting Patrick Henry as he said, “Give me liberty or give me death.” As Trump danced his way off stage and the crowd stood up cheering, the President smirked and shared his administration is “more determined than ever” to carry out the mission of his original campaign.
“We will make America powerful again,” President Trump said. “We will make America wealthy again. We will make America healthy again. We will make America strong again. We will make America proud again. We will make America safe again. And, we will make America great again.”
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