▲ U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Salute to America 250 celebration on the National Mall in Washington on July 4, 2026, in this photo released by UPI. (Yonhap)
▲ U.S. war veterans stand on stage as President Donald Trump speaks during an Independence Day event honoring the nation's 250th anniversary on the National Mall in Washington on July 4, 2026, in this photo released by the Associated Press. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Trump-independence anniv

(LEAD) Trump touts America's achievements, potential on its 250th anniv. amid challenges at home and abroad

(ATTN: ADDS more remarks in 13th para)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, July 5 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has highlighted America's "unmatched" achievements and "unlimited" potential in his speech celebrating the 250th anniversary of its independence, as his administration navigates multiple challenges at home and abroad, including the Middle East conflict.

Trump delivered a speech at a large-scale celebration in Washington late Saturday night, thanking American heroes and patriots who have brought the United States to where it stands now, including veterans who fought to defend South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War, the first major armed conflict of the Cold War.

The celebration came at a time of growing uncertainties for America stemming from the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran, its economic fallout and an intensifying Sino-U.S. strategic competition, as well as domestic political tensions ahead of the November midterm elections.

"We are celebrating freedom's triumph over tyranny, liberty's conquest over oppression and the enduring victory of the American spirit from July 4, 1776 to July 4, 2026," he said during the speech on the National Mall in the U.S. capital. "Tonight, our country is stronger, freer, richer, safer and prouder than ever before."

Touting what he called America's "unlimited" achievements, the president highlighted sacrifices that fallen troops and war veterans made in battlegrounds, including the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in 1950, a key battle during the Korean War.

In particular, he called out the names of two Marine veterans, Patrick Finn and Rudy Meekins, who fought at the Korean battle.

"That was a rough one," Trump said of the battle. "Pat fought in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. He had five against him, and he was one, and as you can see, he's around to talk about it."

He also pointed out that Meekins was wounded four times in combat.

"But (he) never stopped shooting, and he never stopped moving forward," he said.

Moreover, the president mentioned Kenneth Schubring, one of the last surviving veterans of Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

"He resolved that he would help America strike back and win," he said of Schubring. "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."

The president also renewed his criticism of communism as democratic socialism continues to emerge in American politics ahead of the midterm elections -- a trend underscored by the election of Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, as New York City mayor late last year.

"America will never be a communist country. (It) won't happen. Communism is a loser, and it always will be," he said. "The communist system is the opposite of the American system, and the communist system has never worked."

Despite multiple challenges ahead, Trump painted an optimistic future of America.

"At 250 years old, we may be the oldest constitutional republic on earth, but our country is just getting started because the best is yet to come," he said.

"This is only the dawn of the golden age of America, and on this 250th fourth of July, we declare, just as they did two and a half centuries ago, that for our country, and for our children, and for the cause of liberty, we are going to take our country to new levels, to levels not reached."

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