Freedom 250

Latest Stories

A "Happy 250th Birthday" signs seen near the entrance at Lucky Patriot Fireworks in Batavia, Ohio, Tuesday, June 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Nonprofits and brands are navigating the partisan air of the 250th in search of a unifying tone

By James Pollard and Anne D'Innocenzio - Associated Press

Visitors react to the heat while attending the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)

Freedom 250 organizers delay entry into fireworks viewing area due to heat

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump arrives on the Freedom 250 train, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in Medora, N.D., for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt President Library. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Democrats accuse Trump-linked fundraisers of fraud over diverted donations for America’s anniversary

By Michael Biesecker and Josh Boak - Associated Press

The Washington Monument, reflected in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, is seen behind fencing, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

Washington Monument will look like a birthday candle for America’s 250th

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

A Wall of American Heroes is seen inside a Freedom Truck, an 18-wheeler "mobile museum'', that will be used during America's 250th anniversary celebration this summer, on display on the National Mall, Wednesday, April 22, 2026 in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

George Washington goes digital to tour U.S. aboard Trump’s ‘Freedom Trucks’

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

People arrive ahead of President Donald Trump's speech at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Happy birthday, America! Now, the fight over the bill

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times

President Donald Trump speaks at the opening of the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump mixes politics, patriotism to kick off the ‘Great American State Fair’

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

Members of the media view the arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Patriotism, not politics: UFC fans tout love of sport, country at Freedom 250 events

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

The arena for the UFC Freedom 250 fights on the South Lawn of the White House is photographed Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Birthday punches: Trump to celebrate birthday, America’s 250th with White House UFC event

By Liam Griffin - The Washington Times

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump listens to Lee Greenwood sing at a faith event at the Concord Convention Center, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Great American State Fair has new act: Big rally, Lee Greenwood, military music groups

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Bret Michaels, right, and Pete Evick, play for a VIP audience at the announcement event for Hard Rock International's application submission for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino New England at Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, Mass., on Friday, Jan. 11, 2013.(Photo by Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Invision for Hard Rock International/AP Images)

Bret Michaels’ guitarist unloads on fans who turned on singer over Freedom 250

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

The stage is seen ahead of Rededicate 250, a mostly conservative Christian prayer gathering in honor of the United States' 250th anniversary, on the National Mall, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Diesel fuel spills from generators onto National Mall, leaks into cisterns

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

Singer Brett Michaels performs at halftime of an NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz., on Sept. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

White House insider: Firings coming over Freedom 250 fiasco

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

President Donald Trump points as he boards Air Force One for a trip to Detroit, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump blasts performers exiting Freedom 250 concerts

By Mary McCue Bell - The Washington Times

Martina McBride performs in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) **FILE**

Freedom 250 woes pile up as Martina McBride, Bret Michaels latest singers to drop out of fair lineup

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

Morris Day of Morris Day and the Time performs during the second weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Morris Day, Young MC withdraw from Freedom 250 festival over Trump ties

By The Washington Times AI News Desk

Young MC performs during the "I Love The 90's" tour on Aug. 7, 2022, at RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP) **FILE**

Several musicians back out of Freedom 250 concert series on National Mall

By Juliet La Sala - The Washington Times

Fireworks explode near the Washington Monument during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)

Freedom 250 task force plans to break world record for largest fireworks display on Fourth of July

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times

President Trump speaks during the National Prayer Breakfast, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Trump administration will join a prayer gathering criticized for promoting Christian nationalism

By Peter Smith - Associated Press

In this Oct. 18, 2016, photo, an Amtrak Acela train travels through Old Lyme, Conn. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer) **FILE**

Amtrak rolls out a star-spangled Acela and 20 more patriotic trains for America’s big birthday

By Brad Matthews - The Washington Times