Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 8

Trump's 37-Minute July 4 Speech Wins Praise at 250th Fair as Attendees Call It Patriotic

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 8

Trump's 37-Minute July 4 Speech Wins Praise at 250th Fair as Attendees Call It Patriotic

Q: Amid severe drought warnings, will the controversial Mount Rushmore fireworks show proceed as planned?

Yes. The Mount Rushmore fireworks show is still scheduled for July 3, but it is not guaranteed to go forward until officials make a final same-day safety decision. Federal and state officials are actively preparing for the event, which would be the first fireworks display at Mount Rushmore in six years. Tickets have been distributed, contracts are in place, and President Donald Trump is expected to attend. The National Park Service confirmed the celebration earlier this year, and South Dakota officials have said planning is proceeding. The uncertainty comes from drought and wildfire risk. Pennington County and the surrounding Black Hills have been under moderate to extreme drought conditions, and fire danger in the region has been elevated. Critics, including environmental groups and the Oglala Sioux Tribe, have urged cancellation, citing wildfire risk, environmental damage, and the site’s cultural significance. Officials say the event will proceed only if conditions are safe. A formal “go/no-go” review is expected on the day of the show, based on weather, fire danger, and whether firefighting resources are in place. Organizers say an Incident Management Team, fire response plan, and additional mitigation measures have been prepared. If fireworks are judged unsafe, the event can shift to an alternative light show. So, as of now, the show remains planned, but severe drought warnings mean it could still be halted at the last minute.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 8

Two days after the address, attendees at the Great American State Fair said Trump's 37-minute July 4 speech celebrated patriotism and American values rather than partisan politics.
Several cited his praise for veterans, the nation's founding and freedom, while some said his warning that "we don't want communists in our country" fit a Fourth of July message.
Thousands visited the National Mall's 50-state fair despite sweltering heat and thunderstorms that briefly paused the 250th-anniversary celebrations before Trump spoke and fireworks began.
The favorable crowd reaction contrasts with earlier criticism of the speech over historical inaccuracies, while the broader Freedom 250 event also featured a record-setting fireworks display.