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President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both issued statements commemorating the July 4th celebrations, offering markedly different tones and messages to the American public. In a simple yet heartfelt post on Instagram and X, President Biden wrote: “Happy Independence Day, America! May God bless you all. And may God protect our troops.”
In contrast, Trump released a video on Truth Social featuring an edited version of a speech he gave at South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore on July 4, 2020. In the video, Trump vowed that the monument would never be “desecrated.” The clip ends with him declaring, “America’s future is in our hands. And ladies and gentlemen, the best is yet to come.”
During his 2020 speech at Mount Rushmore, Trump spoke against those pushing to remove Confederate statues amid that year’s Black Lives Matter protests. “I am here as your President to proclaim before the country and before the world: This monument will never be desecrated,” Trump said. “These heroes will never be defaced, their legacy will never, ever be destroyed. Their achievements will never be forgotten, and Mount Rushmore will stand forever as an eternal tribute to our forefathers and to our freedom.”
He continued, “Those who seek to erase our heritage want Americans to forget our pride and our great dignity so that we can no longer understand ourselves or America’s destiny. My fellow Americans, it is time to speak up loudly and strongly and powerfully and defend the integrity of our country. We will proclaim the ideals of the Declaration of Independence… America’s future is in our hands. And ladies and gentlemen, the best is yet to come.” The video also features a fireworks display from the July 4, 2020, celebrations at Mount Rushmore.
Meanwhile, President Biden hosted families at the White House as part of the annual Independence Day festivities. The celebrations come amid increasing pressure on Biden following his lackluster debate performance against Trump on June 27. Several Democratic lawmakers have since urged the 81-year-old president, who already faces concerns about his age and fitness for a second term, to reconsider his reelection bid.
However, Biden and his team have repeatedly dismissed such suggestions. In a Zoom call with campaign and Democratic National Committee staff, Biden reportedly declared, “No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving.”
On the same day, Biden received significant support from several Democratic governors, including potential presidential contenders, who confirmed their continued backing. California Governor Gavin Newsom posted on X, “I heard three words from the President tonight—he’s all in. And so am I. Joe Biden has had our back. Now it’s time to have his.”
As the nation celebrates its independence, the contrasting messages from Biden and Trump reflect the ongoing political divide and the different visions they have for America’s future.
