KEYSTONE, S.D. (Diya TV) — President Donald Trump used a Fourth of July speech at Mount Rushmore on Friday to warn that communism poses a major threat to the United States. Speaking as the nation prepares for its 250th anniversary next year, Trump mixed patriotic themes with campaign-style political messages. He also urged Republicans to support election legislation ahead of the November midterm elections.
Trump told thousands of people gathered at the national memorial that America faces what he called “a resurgence of the communist menace.” He argued that communism threatens American freedom and said the country must reject those ideas. His comments continued a recent line of criticism aimed at the growing influence of Democratic socialist candidates in some elections.
Democratic socialists generally support expanding government programs such as health care through democratic elections. However, communism supports central economic planning and the elimination of private property. Although Trump did not directly connect Democratic socialists with communism during his speech, he referred to recent election victories by several progressive candidates.
Trump also shifted his focus to the upcoming midterm elections. He said Republicans must pass the SAVE America Act to protect future elections. The proposal would require voters to prove U.S. citizenship when registering and present identification at polling places. In addition, Trump urged Senate Republicans to end the filibuster so the bill could pass with a simple majority.
Furthermore, Trump claimed Republicans could dominate elections for many years if they approved the legislation. He also warned that poor political decisions could cost the party control of Congress in the midterms.
However, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, has repeatedly defended the filibuster. Thune has said the Senate rule protects the rights of the minority party and remains an important part of the legislative process. He also noted last week that Republicans do not have enough votes to eliminate the rule and are unlikely to gain Democratic support for the SAVE America Act.
Even so, Trump praised Thune during the event and called him a good friend. Earlier in the day, the two met after Air Force One landed at Ellsworth Air Force Base near Rapid City.
South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spoke before Trump’s address. After the speeches ended, organizers launched a large fireworks display over Mount Rushmore. The event attracted about 4,800 ticket holders who secured admission months earlier through an online lottery.
Many attendees wore red, white, and blue clothing or hats supporting Trump. Among them was Ron Emerson, who drove from Willis, Texas, with his family. He said he believes the United States should remain a capitalist nation. His mother, Mary Lou Emerson, said she still has hope for the country’s future despite recent challenges.
Meanwhile, changing weather created delays before the evening program began. Thunderstorms moved through the area and forced hundreds of visitors inside the memorial’s cafeteria. Heavy rain, hail, and lightning lasted for more than an hour before conditions improved.
The fireworks marked a major event organized by Trump’s Freedom 250 initiative, which he created through an executive order. At the same time, the bipartisan America 250 Commission continues to coordinate nationwide activities celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The fireworks also revived a debate that began during Trump’s first term. He previously hosted a fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore in 2020 after the event had been suspended for more than a decade. At that time, federal officials had raised concerns about wildfire risks, environmental damage, and debris left behind by fireworks.
This year, environmental groups again questioned the decision. Parts of Pennington County remain under severe or extreme drought conditions. Federal environmental reviews also warned that fireworks noise could disturb endangered northern long-eared bats and tricolored bats living near the memorial. Young bats could face stress, become separated from their mothers, or suffer other harmful effects.
Native American tribes have also opposed fireworks at Mount Rushmore for many years because they consider the Black Hills sacred. In 2020, protesters blocked the road leading to the memorial, and police made several arrests before prosecutors later dropped the charges. This year, however, no protesters gathered in the designated First Amendment area.
South Dakota signed a $700,000 contract with Pyro Spectaculars to produce this year’s fireworks display. Local, state, and federal agencies also covered security, wildfire prevention, traffic management, and public safety costs. A Government Accountability Office report estimated the total cost of the 2020 Mount Rushmore fireworks event reached about $4 million.
