Trump touts 'Patriot Games' as part of country's 250th celebration
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump on Thursday outlined festivities the White House is planning for next year to commemorate the nation's 250th birthday, making good on his pledge to give America "the most spectacular birthday party the world has ever seen."
Trump -- who repeatedly said on the 2024 campaign trail that he would roll out a grand celebration comparable to past world fairs -- officially unveiled the list of events, called "Freedom 250" on social media.
Several activities will be planned from June 25 to July 10,according to the White House, including a "Spirit of America" parade to honor fallen soldiers, a"Birthday Fireworks Celebration" on the National Mall promised to be the largest such display in the world, and a "Great American State Fair" featuring pavilions from all 50 states.
"Frankly, you'll never see anything like it and you'll never see anything like it again," Trump declared in his announcement video.
The president, who often frequents different sporting events, also solidified plans to spearhead a "Patriot Games" event -- what he called a "four day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes, one young man and one young woman, competing from each state and territory."
"But I promise there will be no men playing in women's sports. You're not going to see that," Trump said, as he continuedto oppose transgender athletes.
The avid Ultimate Fighting Championship fan also continued to tease the administration's plan to host a UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House on Flag Day on June 14, also Trump's 80th birthday. UFC CEO Dana White, a staunch supporter of the president, is going to put on the event, Trump previously announced, marking the first time in history the White House has hosted a sporting match.
"All of this is just the beginning. 2026 will be a celebration of America like no other, honoring our nation and all of its glory to help carry out these exciting," Trump concluded in the video.
Trump's announcement follows his end-of-the-year address to the nation as the administration seeks to highlight Trump's first-year accomplishments ahead of the holiday season as the president battles low approval ratings, specifically on the economy.
Along with the festivities, Trump continues to highlight new construction projects he is tackling in and around the nation's capital. Trump said construction on his latest project -- a "triumphal arch" that's set to be built near the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery -- will begin in the "very near future."
Last week, Trumpsaid that Vince Haley -- one of the speechwriters on his campaign who now serves as director of the Domestic Policy Council -- is tasked with shepherding the arch project.
"I put Vince in charge of the triumphal arc. We're building an arc like the Arc de Triomphe, and we're building it by the Arlington bridge, the Arlington Cemetery, opposite the Lincoln Memorial," Trump said during a Christmas reception on Sunday.
"It's something that isso special, it will be like the one in Paris. But to be honest with you, it blows it away, blows it away in every way. ... It's the only city in the world that's of great importance that doesn't have a triumphal arc. You know what that is. And this one is going to blow them all away," he went on to say.
