Our nation stands on foundational documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. To commemorate America’s 250th birthday, my wife, Ann, organized an event at Planet Word. This is a language museum she established in Washington to foster literacy. The event featured Nolan Williams Jr., a singer-composer who led attendees in singing classic American songs, notably Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.”
Despite the intense 100-degree heat, around 300 individuals filled the museum’s main hall. People of different backgrounds and ages sang together with enthusiasm. The room radiated joy and unity. Many participants expressed a desire for the whole nation to reflect this same harmony daily. Afterward, numerous people asked, “Why aren’t we singing these songs together on the National Mall?”
However, this raises the subject of a stark contrast. That evening, a different version of “This Land Is Your Land” played out on the National Mall. It seemed to align with President Trump’s perspective, emphasizing ownership and exclusivity.
President Trump has always been consistent. He often focuses on dividing rather than uniting. He communicates primarily with his base, never seeking broader support. My colleague Shawn McCreesh reported from the National Mall. He noted that Trump used the nation’s birthday to instill fear about Democrats ahead of the midterms. Trump emphasized threats like ‘communism’ and pushed for legislation to make voting more difficult. As Shawn observed, what should have been a centerpiece for the 250th anniversary turned into a typical Trump rally.
On this same Fourth of July, other newsroom colleagues Eric Lipton and David Yaffe-Bellany revealed that almost 1 million individuals lost money investing in Trump’s memecoin. The cryptocurrency analytics firm Nansen reported losses reaching $3.81 billion by the end of June. Trump, on the other hand, benefited significantly, receiving a $636 million payout from the crypto venture. Overall, his business activities earned him at least $2.2 billion in 2025.