America 250 kicks off in nation's capital as Americans brave weather to celebrate Independence Day

President Donald Trump again took aim at communism during his speech on the National Mall Saturday evening, declaring that America “will never be a communist country.”

“Communism is a loser, and it always will be,” Trump said during his address celebrating America's 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.

“The communist system is the opposite of the American system, and the communist system has never worked,” he continued.

Trump argued communism runs counter to the ideals Americans have defended throughout the nation's history.

“Our warriors did not fight communism on battlefields across the world only to have that menace rear its ugly head right back here in America,” he said.

“We're not going to let it happen,” Trump continued. “We like to stop a threat like that immediately and before it begins.”

Trump also compared communism to “a cancer” that must be cut out.

The comments echoed remarks Trump made Friday during his speech at Mount Rushmore, where he described communism as “the greatest threat” facing the United States.

As Washington, D.C., capped its celebration of America's 250th anniversary, a group of veterans watched the historic fireworks display from the National World War II Memorial.

The World War II veterans looked on as the record-breaking fireworks show illuminated the night sky over the nation's capital.

President Donald Trump honored 11 Gold Star families during his "Salute to America" speech Saturday night, paying tribute to the relatives of U.S. service members who died in military service.

Gold Star families are the surviving relatives of military personnel who died while serving the United States.

“As we celebrate America's unmatched achievements and unlimited potential, we never forget that none of this would have been possible without those who gave everything so that we could reach this 250th year of freedom,” Trump said during his remarks on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Trump also acknowledged the sacrifices made by Gold Star families.

“The Gold Star family,” Trump said. “That is one of the great tributes. It's one of the great honors — a tough honor. There's nothing tougher than that. But these are amazing people.”

“And that special person is looking down at mom and dad, husband, wife,” Trump added. “They're looking down with great pride. You know that.”

President Donald Trump recognized the Artemis II crew and an Apollo astronaut during his speech celebrating America's 250th anniversary Saturday night.

Trump honored the Artemis II astronauts — Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — following their 10-day lunar mission in April, which included orbiting the moon.

Trump also honored Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, who walked on the moon during NASA's final Apollo mission in 1972.

The astronauts stood beside a flag that flew aboard an aircraft operated by the Wright brothers, who pioneered the world's first successful powered flight.

Trump also presented the crew with a U.S. flag that flew over the Capitol on Saturday morning, saying it would accompany a future NASA mission to the moon.

Following President Donald Trump's speech on the National Mall, a record-breaking fireworks display lit up the skies over Washington, D.C., capping the nation's celebration of America's 250th anniversary.

The nearly 40-minute show featured 851,000 individual fireworks launched over the nation's capital, breaking the Guinness World Record for largest fireworks display.

The soundtrack to the show included hits spanning several decades, which were all performed by a handful of American service members. Songs included Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4," Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," the Village People's "Y.M.C.A.," Prince and the Revolution's "Let's Go Crazy," Earth, Wind & Fire's "September," Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline." 

President Donald Trump honored military veterans during his speech celebrating America's 250th anniversary Saturday, including 107-year-old World War II veteran Lt. Arthur Rose, who the president said commanded 36 landing craft during the D-Day invasion.

Trump invited Rose to the stage and praised his service during what he described as the largest naval armada in history.

“At 107 years old, Lieutenant Rose is here to salute one of our nation's most prized possessions — the flag that flew aboard the first landing craft on D-Day and led the first Americans onto the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe and defeat Nazi fascism forever,” Trump said.

Trump called Rose “an inspiration.”

President Donald Trump declared during his "Salute to America" address Saturday that the spirit of 1776 remains alive as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.

“As we can see here tonight, after 250 years, the spirit of 1776 still lives within us all,” Trump told the crowd gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

“It still roars in the heart of our nation's capital,” Trump continued. “It still burns in the heart of every patriot, thunders through every city and town, and still lights the entire world with the glow of American liberty.”

Trump said the nation's 250th anniversary marked the beginning of what he called America's "golden age."

“This is only the dawn of the golden age of America,” he said. “On this 250th Fourth of July, we declare, just as they did two and a half centuries ago, that for our country and for our children and for the cause of liberty, we are going to take our country to new levels, to levels not reached.”

A fire broke out on the Brooklyn Bridge during the America250 fireworks show Saturday night, prompting a response from the New York City Fire Department.

The FDNY said it responded around 9:40 p.m. to a reported "rubbish fire" on the Manhattan-bound side of the bridge.

“Fires like these are not unexpected and that is why we have the standoff distance during a fireworks show,” the department said in a statement.

The FDNY said two engine companies were dispatched to extinguish the fire.

No injuries were immediately reported.

Macy's annual Fourth of July fireworks show began shortly after 9 p.m., with fireworks launched from barges on the East River and near the Brooklyn Bridge.

President Donald Trump appeared poised to deliver a speech on the National Mall in Washington on Saturday night after severe thunderstorms delayed the evening's patriotic festivities.

“I'M HERE!!!” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.

Earlier Saturday, Trump vowed the storms would not derail the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, promising to deliver his speech "no matter what."

Thousands of people began returning to the National Mall around 10 p.m. after severe weather prompted organizers to temporarily evacuate the Salute to America celebration.

Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin shared a video just before 10 pm. local time of thousands of people in a line at the National Mall to reenter July Fourth celebrations following a temporary storm delay that cleared out the area hours prior.

Severe weather in Washington, D.C., forced a temporary evacuation of the "Salute to America" event, though organizers later said the show would go on rain or shine.

President Donald Trump is slated to make a speech at 11 p.m. His motorcade was recently spotted heading to the event.

"It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. "Who cares???"

Freedom 250 organizers announced at 9:10 p.m. local time Saturday that President Donald Trump directed gates at the National Mall to reopen at 9:45 p.m., following a brief storm delay.

Officials said the nation's 250th birthday celebration will proceed "rain or shine," with Trump scheduled to deliver remarks at 11 p.m. ET.

A record-setting fireworks show will immediately follow the speech.

"For 250 years, Americans have overcome every challenge with grit, resilience, and determination," organizers wrote in a statement. "A little rain will never diminish our pride, our patriotism, or our celebration of the greatest nation in the history of the world."

The U.S. Secret Service said a screening area, which will be mandatory for all prior evacuees, will reopen shortly.

"The Secret Service is working to make screening as smooth as possible," the agency wrote in a statement.

Bag restrictions and the prohibited items list will remain the same.

Hundreds of people gathered inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture building after a severe storm rolled through the nation's capital during Fourth of July celebrations, prompting event postponements.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins later shared a video on X showing the crowd coming together to sing the national anthem in perfect harmony.

"Unfortunately, the weather may have disrupted parts of the @Freedom250celebration, but we were grateful to open the beautiful @USDAbuilding to provide shelter," Rollins wrote in the post. "And then this happened."

"These incredible patriots spontaneously broke into the National Anthem," she continued. "I love my country."

President Donald Trump announced he will not let stormy weather stop a historic 250th celebration, promising to wait out the rain "no matter what" to deliver his scheduled late-night speech.

Trump said storms "bring luck" and make events "a little bit more exciting," noting he will wait until 2 a.m. for the weather to clear, if necessary.

"It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight," Trump said, brushing off the suggested 11 p.m. speech start time.

"Who cares???" he continued. "Remember two weeks ago when the big UFC Event was at 100% chance of heavy rain, all week long, and just minutes before the card started. Well, there wasn’t a single drop, and the fights turned out to be among the greatest in history, an event for the ages.

"Our great veterans, especially the old timers, many of whom are there, went through hellfire, and it didn’t stop them. It’s not going to stop us either! I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th. I’m leaving the White House soon. God Bless America!"

Fox News' "Special Report" host Bret Baier took shelter during Washington, D.C., Fourth of July celebrations inside a trailer with a group of World War II heroes, capturing a powerful testament to patriotism and longevity from the Greatest Generation.

Among the heroes was a 103-year-old veteran who fought across France, Holland and Germany.

Despite his age, the 103-year-old brought humor and warmth to the shelter, joking, "I'm only 103, how about that."

When asked about his secret to living a long, full life, the veteran — one of 13 children — pointed to his family roots.

"I had the best parents you could have and they taught me how to live," he said.

The 103-year-old also shared his profound gratitude for the country he risked his life to defend.

"All the people here are so glad to be free," he said. "Glad to be here and love America, I love that."

Severe weather in Washington, D.C., has forced a temporary evacuation of the "Salute to America" celebrations, but the sudden storms couldn't dampen the allegiance of the crowd.

As public safety officials cleared crowds from the American State Fairgrounds, patriotic attendees sang the National Anthem while evacuating the area.

The severe weather prompted a postponement of scheduled U.S. military flyovers and the main program, which is slated to include musical performances and a speech from President Donald Trump.

Breathtaking cockpit video showed U.S. Air Force F-22 Capt. Nick Le Tourneau soaring over Washington, D.C., as part of the 250th anniversary celebrations on the Fourth of July.

The aerial perspective captured the iconic Washington Monument standing tall behind the stealth fighter pilot.

Patriotic spectators were evacuated from the grounds of the Great American State Fair and Salute to America after storms rolled in to Washington, D.C., prompting a postponement of U.S. military flyovers and the Salute to America program — which was slated to include musical performances and a speech from President Donald Trump.

Fox News congressional correspondent Bill Melugin reported seeing lightning and strong gusts of wind in the area.

Electronic screens at the event flashed "due to severe weather, this event is postponed until weather passes."

National Mall visitors have been told to vacate the premises and seek shelter "immediately" at locations including: the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Education, Voice of America, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, or National Museum of African American History and Culture, according to D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

"The safety of our guests, performers, and staff is our top priority," Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez wrote in a statement. "Due to approaching severe storms, Freedom 250, United States Secret Service, United States Park Police, National Park Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and all public safety partners are asking all guests to evacuate event grounds and seek temporary shelter in a nearby building."

Program organizers told Fox News they are planning to restart at 8 p.m. local time, with cuts to previously planned performances to make up for the delay.

The remaining flyovers have been canceled.

The U.S. Secret Service has temporarily suspended checkpoint operations, and admissions have been halted.

"This action was taken solely in the interest of public safety, and we have no estimate for when screening may resume," Secret Service communications chief Anthony Guglielmi wrote in a statement.

The White House released a stunning video on the Fourth of July showcasing scenic views of Mount Rushmore as President Donald Trump kicked off the nation's 250th birthday celebration Friday night.

After flying over the landmark Friday night in the new Air Force One, Trump presented a 28-minute speech, accompanied by a fireworks display.

In a powerful voiceover behind the video, the president praised America's legacy.

"In all the chronicles of the ages, never before has any nation celebrated so magnificent a triumph as this one," Trump said. "We are the freest people on earth, and by the grace of God, the United States of America is the most successful, most accomplished, most exceptional nation ever to exist in human history."

Trump credited the nation's enduring freedom to the "culture and character" of the American people, who he said have defended and preserved it.

He urged citizens to celebrate the milestone with "joyful hearts and soaring spirits," noting that "this is not an ending. This is only the beginning of the Golden Age of America."

The Blue Angels soared over patriotic crowds gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Saturday afternoon, marking one of the most anticipated flyovers in America's 250th anniversary celebrations.

Following their performance, the Air Force Thunderbirds will take flight, setting the stage for even more evening flyovers.

Just after 7:15 p.m., the newly renovated Air Force One will lead a "HUGE 1" flyover across the nation's capital.

The tribute will continue with a U.S. Stealth Airpower flyover at 7:38 p.m., a F-22 Raptor at 7:53 p.m. and B-1 bombers at 8:07 p.m.