Trump set to mark nation's 250th birthday with campaign-style rally

President Donald Trump is set to begin a 16-day celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary with a political rally on Wednesday at the National Mall. The Reuters report says the kickoff blends official commemoration with campaign-style politics as Trump pivots from controversy around the Iran conflict and highlights a narrative of restoring the country’s greatness ahead of Independence Day on July 4. The anniversary programming has already drawn friction, including the withdrawal of several musical acts and Trump’s renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool near the event area, following a reported $16 million repair. The revised lineup reportedly includes Lee Greenwood and Christopher Macchio, plus military bands. The rally comes as public approval is low, and polls cited by Reuters show limited support for the costs of the U.S.-Iran war.