U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that the United States is facing what he described as a new threat to its national identity from “fanatics and extremists” within the country, speaking at Mount Rushmore on the eve of the nation’s 250th Independence Day.
Addressing a crowd at the base of the iconic monument, which features the carved faces of four former U.S. presidents, Trump praised the “American Dream” and paid tribute to the country’s past leaders.
“But as we approach this great anniversary, we see our American identity under renewed attack,” Trump said.
“After a generation spent fighting and winning the Cold War against the threat of communism, we are now witnessing the return of the communist threat on our own soil,” he added.
Trump has repeatedly promoted this message in recent weeks as left-wing candidates within the Democratic Party have scored a series of victories in U.S. primary elections.
His recent rhetoric has portrayed the rise of the political left ahead of the November midterm elections as an assault by “communists” that poses a major threat to the United States.
“In recent years, there has been an undeniable effort to erase what makes this country exceptional—to uproot the American spirit and separate us from our history,” Trump said.
Although his remarks on immigration were less forceful than in previous speeches, he appeared to allude to immigrants when he said, “You don’t have to be born here, but you have to love what we have built.”
Political analysts say Trump’s decision to deliver the speech at Mount Rushmore reflects his view of himself as one of the country’s great leaders.
Republican lawmakers allied with Trump have introduced legislation proposing that his face be carved into the mountain alongside those of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt.
On July 4, Trump is scheduled to hold a rally on the National Mall in Washington featuring military aircraft flyovers and what he described as the world’s largest fireworks display.
However, Trump’s approval ratings remain near historic lows, largely due to the war with Iran and the rising cost of living in the United States.
In a podcast interview released Friday with Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President J.D. Vance, Trump said, “We have a great country, but it’s at a crossroads…”
Events marking the 250th anniversary of American independence, organized by a group affiliated with Trump, drew relatively modest crowds.
Images showing largely empty exhibition halls in Washington circulated widely on social media, prompting sarcastic commentary. An ongoing heatwave has also discouraged attendance.
Trump nevertheless remarked on Wednesday, “It’s going to be about 107 degrees Fahrenheit (41°C) on the Fourth of July, and I’m going to give a very long speech just to prove I can do anything.”
‘A Great Holiday’
As the United States marks 250 years of history shaped by achievements and tragedies alike—including slavery and freedom, the Civil War, and two world wars—polls suggest many Americans are increasingly pessimistic about whether the “American Dream” remains attainable.
A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday found that 61% of Americans believe the country is not living up to the principles set out in the Declaration of Independence.
Opinions remain sharply divided along party lines, with most Republicans believing those principles are being upheld, while most Democrats disagree.
“It’s truly a day to celebrate freedom,” Amy Kimara, a special education teacher in Los Angeles, told AFP. “But honestly, given the current political climate, it just hasn’t felt as exciting over the past few years.”
Trump has increasingly used the 250th anniversary celebrations as a platform to rally political support for both the Republican Party and his own agenda.
Some Republicans fear that Trump’s declining popularity could cost the party its congressional majority in the midterm elections, potentially paving the way for an unprecedented third impeachment effort against the president.
For many Americans, however, Independence Day remains a celebration.
“I think it’s become more political,” said Matt Jarvis, a 55-year-old businessman from Los Angeles. “But that doesn’t change the fact that the Fourth of July is a great holiday for all of us.”
AFP
