Trump praises US and attacks ‘communist’ threat at Mount Rushmore event

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Friday used a speech at Mount Rushmore on the eve of Independence Day to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary while warning against what he described as a growing communist threat inside the country.

Speaking at the South Dakota monument bearing the carved faces of four former US presidents, Trump said Americans should defend the freedoms envisioned by the country’s founders 250 years ago. He tied that message to recent gains by progressive Democrats and to immigration, saying some newcomers embraced ideas opposed to the American way of life.

Trump said, "We stand beneath the monument of these heroes, a true group of unbelievable people, and we rededicate ourselves to being a nation as big, bold, noble, and as great as these American giants, and that's ​not easy to do, but we're going to do it."

He also said, "There is now a resurgence of ⁠the communist menace in our land, including from newcomers to our country who embrace ideas totally opposed to our ​way of life and our great success."

Focus on domestic politics

The speech came as Trump has increasingly argued that democratic socialists and other left-wing figures in the Democratic Party pose a serious threat. He had been making similar points for about a week, but Friday’s remarks were his most extended and direct on the subject.

The speech was delivered as Americans were dealing with persistent inflation and high fuel prices since the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran. Republican lawmakers, concerned that the conflict could hurt the party in November’s midterm elections, had focused on a series of recent victories by left-wing Democratic candidates.

Trump linked his anti-communist messaging to electoral politics, saying “We resolve and swear for all to hear that the citizens of the United States of America will vanquish communism quickly.. We will send them ​quickly away, and we will ​continue to build our country ⁠bigger and better, stronger than ever before. America will never be a communist country!”

He then added, "We can only lose the midterms if ​we allow ourselves to lose the midterms."

Four progressive candidates, including three democratic socialists, won competitive Democratic primaries in New York City last week and in Colorado on Tuesday. Progressive contenders also won races in Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Trump had last week described those victories as the greatest threat to the country since its founding.

Independence Day events and weather

Trump was scheduled to address a crowd on the National Mall on Saturday ahead of a major fireworks display. The event was set against a severe heat wave that, had disrupted Fourth of July celebrations across a large part of the United States.

While temperatures at Mount Rushmore were reported at a relatively mild 65 degrees Fahrenheit, or 18 degrees Celsius, conditions in Washington were far hotter. Background reports said the heat wave had forced cancellations and postponements of parades, concerts and fireworks events, including the National Park Service’s Independence Day Parade in Washington over safety concerns.

The same reports said temperatures in the US capital had climbed to 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 degrees Celsius, on Friday, while weather authorities projected heat index levels as high as 115 degrees Fahrenheit. The broader heat spell also put pressure on electricity systems, with the largest Mid-Atlantic grid operator asking customers in emergency conservation programmes to reduce usage.