The 250th Anniversary of the United States: Grand Celebrations Can't Conceal the Gap Between Founding Ideals and Present Reality
July 4 is Independence Day in the United States. The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of America's founding, making this year's celebrations particularly significant. President Trump’s desire to leverage this occasion to underscore his slogan “Make America Great Again” has further amplified the grandeur of the festivities. Yet, these ostentatious displays fail to mask the underlying sense of crisis gripping the world’s largest superpower.
Two and a half centuries ago, the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, transforming thirteen colonies under British rule into the United States of America. By the 20th century, the United States had grown increasingly powerful economically and, after two world wars, surpassed Europe to become the world’s preeminent power in economic, political, military, and technological spheres. The American Dream—turning the impossible into reality—lured countless people worldwide. Following World War II, the Cold War between East and West made the U.S. a haven for those fleeing oppressive communist dictatorships. On July 3, President Trump visited the Presidential Park in South Dakota to pay homage to America’s founding presidents. On the evening of the 4th, a spectacular fireworks display will illuminate Washington D.C.’s National Mall, with 850,000 fireworks bursting in the sky over 40 minutes—believed to be the largest fireworks show in history. However, the traditional Independence Day parade in the capital was canceled due to forecasted heat indices reaching up to 43°C. Despite this, President Trump remains committed to delivering a lengthy speech that night on the National Mall. He recently stated that speaking at such extreme temperatures demonstrates his invincibility.
Yet it remains uncertain whether such a high-profile celebration can truly rekindle patriotic fervor and unify the nation. On July 3, speaking beneath statues of four U.S. presidents widely regarded as the greatest, Trump lauded the American miracle while emphasizing that national identity faces a new wave of attacks from extremists and radicals. In his view, these radicals and extremists are unequivocally attempting to undermine the American spirit. He issued a warning that the threat of communism is resurging on American soil, and this latest wave of extremism comes from recent immigrants. In other words, he has redirected his rhetoric against communism toward targeting immigrants, merging his anti-communist stance with anti-immigrant sentiment.
While Trump’s remarks represent a continuation of his anti-immigration policies since beginning his second presidential term, they also stem from his Republican Party’s weakened position following a series of disappointing political performances over the past year and a half. This context has prompted him to exploit the fear of communist resurgence to galvanize voter opposition to the Democratic Party ahead of the November midterm elections.
If Trump believes the nation’s identity is under some form of existential threat, his six years in office—especially the past 18 months since returning to the White House—have undoubtedly deepened internal divisions within American society. His actions have consistently challenged the foundational values of the U.S. Constitution and the principle of separation of powers. His aggressive anti-immigration policies have triggered anxiety and instability within immigrant communities, intensifying tensions within a nation historically built on diversity and multiculturalism. Internationally, the Trump administration’s foreign policy has repeatedly undermined the value-based alliances forged since the end of World War II, severely damaging America’s global image as the leader and guardian of the free world. In a speech the night before Independence Day, Pope Leo XIV reminded Americans not to jeopardize their historical legacy as a nation of immigrants, urging them to remember the founding ideals of unity, justice, and peace, and to remain committed to the dream of being a land of freedom.
According to a recent survey conducted by Quinnipiac University, 61% of Americans believe the United States has failed to realize the ideals proclaimed in the 1776 Declaration of Independence.
As the midterm elections approach, Trump clearly aims to use this 250th-anniversary celebration to deepen partisan polarization. On one hand, he warns of a renewed communist threat, directing blame toward immigrant groups and the opposition Democratic Party. On the other hand, he canceled a traditionally bipartisan event scheduled for July 4, replacing it with his own “Make America Great Again” rally. A group closely aligned with the White House has taken control of several major celebratory events, leaving the bipartisan organizing committee without clear direction or purpose.
Independence Day celebrations could have been an excellent opportunity to reflect on history and reforge a shared sense of community—but instead, Trump has transformed this moment into a campaign-style spectacle centered entirely around himself. Meanwhile, American citizens are more concerned about inflation and rising living costs driven by the U.S.-Israel-led war against Iran, which began in late February.
Beneath the grand spectacle of this 250th-anniversary celebration lies the widening gap between the nation’s founding ideals and its current reality.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869800963668999/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.