President Donald Trump has kicked off weeks of festivities celebrating America’s 250th birthday with a rally on the National Mall in the nation’s capital.
The event featured a flyover by “some of the nation’s most iconic fighter jets and stealth bombers”, military bands, and a speech from the president.
“Tonight, as we stand on the edge of our 250th year of independence, I am thrilled to declare that America is back,” Trump said at the rally.
Trump announced his plans to headline the event after several musicians cancelled their performances citing concerns the celebrations had been politicised.
“A short time ago we were a dead country,” the president said at the rally. “We were dead. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world, we’re respected by everybody.”
Trump touted his record on immigration, drug prices, the economy and on foreign affairs, including in Iran and Venezuela.