WH Travel Report #8 Trump Speech and Rolling

Trump ended his speech at 8:28 PM , closing on his political slogan "Make America Great Again." Pool loaded into the van as POTUS was still onstage with "YMCA" playing.

Most in the crowd stood up and chanted "USA" as Trump said he had kept his promise to kick off the 250th birthday celebrations of America in Iowa.

He announced the "Great American State Fair," which he said would kick off in Iowa. The celebrations will culminate in a celebration on the National Mall next year. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the "Patriot Games," a nationally televised athletic competition.

Trump also said a UFC bout at the White House will be part of the celebrations. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said he is "dead serious" about those plans.

He also announced plans to celebrate the 250th anniversaries of the Marines and the Navy this fall.

He recognized many members of his administration, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and the cabinet secretaries who joined him on the plane. He also asked for a standing ovation for the veterans in attendance.

At about 7:40 PM, a bang went off. Another sounded from a greater distance a couple of minutes later.

"Don’t worry, it’s only fireworks. I hope," Trump, who stood behind a glass barrier, told the crowd. “Famous last words."

The motorcade is rolling at 8:35 PM. We could hear the bangs of fireworks as our bus pulled away and see some smoke in the bright sky.

Cat Zakrzewski

Washington Post

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