Trump kicks off Fourth of July weekend with symbolic salute to America’s legacy

The president is also set to headline the Salute to America event on the National Mall Saturday amid an extreme heat alert

Ashley J. DiMella / Fox News  

President Donald Trump will open America’s 250th Independence Day weekend with a return to Mount Rushmore, reviving one of the most symbolic scenes of his first administration as the White House stages a week of patriotic events across some of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.

Trump last attended a Mount Rushmore fireworks display in 2020, when the landmark hosted its first official fireworks show since 2009. 

Trump issued a presidential action in January to honor the history of America, ordering "a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of the 250th anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 2026." On both a federal and state level, the nation has thrown a line up of events this summer including the "Great American State Fair" on the National Mall.

Trump kicked off the fair on June 24 by hosting a rally the night before the beginning of the fair. He will return Saturday for the "Salute to America" event, where he is expected to take the stage.

Old flame! The Statue of Liberty is the greatest gift one country ever gave another 

Diane Von Furstenberg / Opinion / NEW YORK POST

Lady Liberty means so much to so many people.

For me, growing up in Europe, she was always a beautiful postcard. But my relationship with her changed drastically when I joined the board of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation. I was initially very reluctant to join, but President Stephen Briganti seduced me to change my mind by highlighting a very personal passage from my memoir, “The Woman I Wanted to Be.”

My mother Lily had survived a war concentration camp, and I was born 18 months after she came home. In my book, I wrote about how she used to say, “God saved me so I can give you life. By giving you life, you gave me mine back. You are my torch of freedom.”

Steve reminded me of those poignant words from my mother — and made it seem like destiny. I had to accept. Saying yes meant that I would have to help raise $100 million for the island’s new 26,000-square-foot museum, a showcase for the original torch.

We actually accomplished that goal and the museum opened in 2019. In getting there, I embarked on a meaningful journey and learned the fascinating history behind America’s great symbol of freedom.