President Donald Trump ran all three of his campaigns on a pledge of putting \u201cAmerica first,\u201d as well as making America great again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s no question he loves the country, which he constantly demonstrates, so it\u2019s no surprise where he\u2019s headed for this year\u2019s July 4th celebration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump will kick off the nation\u2019s America 250 celebration on Friday with a visit to Mount Rushmore, where he is scheduled to deliver a speech beneath the monument honoring Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The appearance comes as Trump places himself at the center of the country\u2019s 250th anniversary observances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of his supporters have even introduced legislation proposing that his likeness be added to Mount Rushmore alongside the four presidents already depicted on the monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Independence Day, Trump is expected to headline a large public event on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., featuring a campaign-style rally, military flyovers and what the White House has described as the world\u2019s largest fireworks display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The events reflect Trump\u2019s longstanding preference for high-profile public appearances as he leads the nation\u2019s semiquincentennial celebrations, Agence France Presse reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTrump likes the spotlight, and I think he\u2019s trying to take the spotlight,\u201d Peter Loge, director of George Washington University\u2019s School of Media, told AFP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The nation\u2019s 250th anniversary arrives at a time of deep political polarization, with Trump facing sharp partisan divisions as he leads the semiquincentennial celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trump has faced criticism from Democratic opponents over issues including his immigration policies, the expansion of presidential authority and other aspects of his agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Public opinion surveys have also reflected ongoing divisions over his presidency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The administration\u2019s effort to make the America 250 celebration a signature national event has at times encountered political controversy and logistical challenges, underscoring the broader partisan environment surrounding the anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A group known as Freedom 250, which is aligned with Trump, has assumed a prominent role in organizing many of the anniversary events, prompting criticism from some who argue the celebrations have become overly partisan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The shift has led some organizations and attendees to distance themselves from certain official festivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cGreat American State Fair\u201d held in Washington, D.C., as part of the semiquincentennial celebration has also drawn criticism from some observers, who pointed to lower-than-expected attendance and a number of unoccupied exhibits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In June, Trump hosted a Ultimate Fighting Championship event on the White House lawn that generated controversy after one fighter repeated a false claim about former first lady Michelle Obama during the broadcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The anniversary weekend also coincides with a dangerous heat wave expected to affect Washington and much of the eastern United States, as well as several FIFA World Cup knockout matches taking place across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn July 4 it\u2019s going to be approximately 107 degrees (41C) out, and I\u2019m going to go and I\u2019m going to make a really long speech \u2014 just to show that I can do anything,\u201d Trump said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, though many \u2018mainstream\u2019 media outlets and Democrats continue to claim Trump is unpopular, polls and anedecdotal evidence suggest the opposite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n