STORY: To celebrate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, President Donald Trump recounted some of the country's milestones, bringing together war veterans and collection of historic flags for the hundreds gathered at the National Mall on Saturday (July 4).

Trump honored several veterans and historical figures during his speech, which included tributes to Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Paris Davis, Pearl Harbor survivor Ken Schubring, and D-Day veteran Lieutenant Arthur Rose, each saluting flags usually seen inside museums.

Among those praised was the Artemis II crew, including Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who walked with his American teammates on stage.

In his speech the president took a stab at communism, saying "we don't want communists in our country."

Trump also said the US has survived "empires, vast kingdoms, mighty nations, and terrible tyrants" since its inception and ventured the country would continue with a "destiny is written by God."

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JULY 4, 2026) (FREEDOM 250 HANDOUT - No resales)

1. CROWD AT 250 ANNIVERSARY OF US INDEPENDENCE RALLY

2. VARIOUS OF U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, AND FIRST LADY, MELANIA TRUMP

3. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES AS COLONEL PARIS DAVIS WALKS ONSTAGE):

"With us tonight to celebrate. This forward march of freedom is another Medal of Honor recipient, Colonel Paris Davis, whose courage won eternal glory in Vietnam. He helped lead a surprise attack on 100 enemy combatants. They said he was finished. His whole group was finished and despite multiple life-threatening wounds, saved the lives of his fellow soldiers. And this evening he stands as the only flag of its kind, the one. That was draped over the casket of President Abraham Lincoln in Independence Hall. Thank you very much. He looks better than I do."

4. CROWD AT 250 ANNIVERSARY OF US INDEPENDENCE RALLY

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES AS DESCENDANTS STAND NEXT TO FLAG):

"American grit, boldness, and daring forged heroes like Davy Crockett, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, Teddy Roosevelt, and the legend of the Wild West Buffalo Bill Cody. These were great, powerful people whose incredible grandchildren happened to be with us tonight. And they stand alongside one of the first American flags ever to fly over our expanding nation. It was carried west just as Lewis and Clark began their journey in 1803. Thank you very much. Thank you."

6. VARIOUS OF CROWD AT 250 ANNIVERSARY OF US INDEPENDENCE RALLY

7. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (SOUNDBITE PLAYS AS PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR KEN SCHUBRING APPEARS ON STAGE):

"Ken Schubring was 19 years old when he survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. After enemy planes sank ships like the USS Arizona, he resolved that he would help America strike back and win, he wanted them to strike back and win. Flying B-29s in the Pacific, Ken fought from the first day to the very last. He was in the war right from the first day, and he went to the last day and all the way to the enemy's unconditional surrender. We got an unconditional surrender, he was there. At 104 years old and looking really good, captain Schubring is here tonight, and he is saluting the flag that went down with the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, but was raised back up with the help of some unbelievable American patriots. It's a symbol of American defiance. Please."

8. CROWD AT 250 ANNIVERSARY OF US INDEPENDENCE RALLY

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (SOUNDBITE PLAYS AS

LIEUTENANT ARTHUR ROSE APPEARS ON STAGE):

"Navy Lieutenant Arthur Rose commanded 36 landing craft as part of the largest naval armada in history. Recalling that site, he wrote home to his parents 'what a country we are'. At 107 years old, Lieutenant Rose is here to salute one of our nation's most prized possessions. The flag that flew aboard the first landing craft on D-Day and led the first Americans onto the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe and defeat Nazi fascism forever."

10. CROWD AT 250 ANNIVERSARY OF US INDEPENDENCE RALLY

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (SOUNDBITE PLAYS AS MARINE CORPS VETERAN DON GRAVES APPEARS ON STAGE AND ENDS ON VETERANS IN FRONT OF FLAGS):

"With us today is one of the last survivors of that battle. 101 year old Marine Corporal Don Graves. And he's here to salute that famous flag he saw a rise in the glory of Iwo Jima 81 years ago and you've all seen that flag many times."

12. CROWD AT 250 ANNIVERSARY OF US INDEPENDENCE RALLY

13. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING (SOUNDBITE PLAYS AS ARTEMIS II CREW APPEAR ON STAGE):

"So tonight we're joined by that crew of NASA Artemis. You know, you know, the crew everybody"

14. VARIOUS OF CROWD AT 250 ANNIVERSARY OF US INDEPENDENCE RALLY

15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING: (SOUNDBITE CONTINUES OVER DIFFERENT SHOTS OF EVENT)

"Over 250 years the world has seen great empires, vast kingdoms, mighty nations, and terrible tyrants. They came and they went. But after two and a half centuries, this American republic still stands tall and strong. And we love each other. That showed tonight. You heard it was over. And what happened? You came back. And this American flag still waves proud and free and beautiful. We have thrived and flourished because our founders were great. Our cause was just. Our people are brave. Our culture is exceptional. And our destiny is written by God."

16. VARIOUS OF CROWD

17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:

"And all these talks from the communists, they haven't got a chance. Not even a chance. We don't want communists in our country."

18. TRUMP WALKING OFF STAGE, CROWD