President Donald Trump continues pressing the Smithsonian Institution to shift away from what he calls divisive, overly negative portrayals of American history — even as the nation reflects on its 250th anniversary.
In more recent coverage, The White House released a detailed report on July 4 criticizing the National Museum of American History for “extreme political activism.” It accuses leadership of ideological capture and undermining faith in American institutions. See full context in this Washington Post article.
If you've traveled across the U.S. lately, you've likely noticed people sounding more alike no matter where you go. A bus driver in Charlotte talks much like a guy in a Brooklyn beer hall, a Boston car salesman, or a Grand Rapids cashier. Regional flavor has faded into a homogenized American voice.
Matt Walsh's latest episode examines this shift. It wasn't always this way. Accents once marked both region and class. The old "Locust Valley Lockjaw"—that posh, clipped style from wealthy enclaves—defined mid-century intellectuals and TV personalities. Today, it's largely replaced by a generic newscaster tone few use in real conversation.
Nate Silver posted some eye-opening polling data right before the July 4th holiday. The takeaway? American patriotism has declined sharply and now sits below the global average. As the fireworks fade and we move into the week after Independence Day, the numbers deserve a closer look — especially with the country’s 250th anniversary on the horizon.
The Global Picture
The United States used to stand out for its strong national pride. In the 1980s, about 95% of Americans described themselves as “very” or “quite” proud of their nationality — significantly higher than most other regions.
By 2022, that figure had dropped to 78%. Many parts of the world maintained higher levels: Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East generally stayed in the 85–90% range. In a ranking of large and OECD countries, the U.S. now ranks around 34th out of 45.
The first chart shared by Silver shows the U.S. line trending steadily downward while other regions held steady or improved.
Obviously, some of this is partisan, with the Democratic numbers having fallen far more. Though independents are actually closer to Democrats on this issue than the GOP. pic.twitter.com/lV9bjtidDc
President Trump spoke at the iconic South Dakota site on the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, praising American exceptionalism, the culture and character of the people who built and defended liberty, and the unmatched freedom and prosperity achieved over 250 years. He warned strongly that communism is a mortal threat to those principles — greater than past wars or 9/11 — and urged vigilance against its resurgence while celebrating the nation’s enduring strength. The address ended with fireworks, blending patriotism with pointed commentary.
You can catch Pres. Trump's remarks at Salute to America livestream here: [VIDEO]
On Independence Day itself, the focus shifted to Washington, DC, for the main “Salute to America” celebrations (as seen in the livestream you shared). These continued the 250th anniversary momentum with more remarks, tributes, and large-scale patriotic displays on the National Mall, reinforcing the themes of liberty and national renewal from the night before. The livestream helped tie the Mount Rushmore kickoff directly into the day’s events, giving viewers a continuous sense of momentum across the milestone weekend. It was a straightforward extension: reflection at the monument followed by nationwide commemoration in the capital.
Today is the day America's 250th birthday. The day that our founding fathers drafted, published and signed the Declaration of Independence. I'm glad that we're celebrating this milestone properly this year.
He did something very similar six years ago in 2020—headlining a Fourth of July event at the same iconic site with a big patriotic speech and the return of fireworks after more than a decade.
Here are a couple of contemporary reports from that visit:
In Illinois, the political dynamics seem flipped from the national narrative. Republicans are often accused of “loathing” the state, but what they’re really saying is that Illinois is off track and desperately needs fixing. Democrats, meanwhile, appear largely comfortable with the status quo. Under one-party rule, critics argue they’re not reversing the state’s decline—they’re simply managing it.
A recent CNN segment shared by Tom Elliott on X/Twitter (h/t Newsalert) highlighted a striking example of this disconnect:
CNN: "Just 27 percent of Democrats say they'll display the flag on July 4th ... just 29 percent of Democrats say they’re extremely, or very proud, to be an American." pic.twitter.com/EITuYqNRiU
This comes at a time when many Americans are preparing to celebrate Independence Day. The low numbers raise a troubling question: What’s behind the reluctance to fly the Stars and Stripes?
In a recent clip from the Dad Saves America podcast, host John Papola sits down with Wilfred Reilly — a Chicago native and political scientist at Kentucky State University — to explore striking parallels between America’s growth and the rise (and potential pitfalls) of ancient Rome.
Yesterday, Flag Day doubled as President Donald Trump's 80th birthday, and he marked it in classic fashion: with high-energy action on the South Lawn of the White House. While the Iran peace framework grabbed headlines (as I noted yesterday), the evening delivered something unforgettable — UFC Freedom 250, a full fight card right at the People's House.
The Spectacle Unfolds
President Trump, alongside First Lady Melania and UFC CEO Dana White, hosted seven mixed martial arts bouts under the lights of a massive temporary arena called "The Claw." Over 4,000 fans packed in for what’s being called the first major professional sporting event on the White House grounds. The crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to the President, and the energy was electric as American fighters went toe-to-toe in the iconic octagon.
