President Donald Trump used what was billed as a unifying, bipartisan celebration of America’s 250th anniversary to launch a fiery political attack—declaring outright hatred for Democrats during a nationally televised speech in Des Moines, Iowa.
Speaking behind bulletproof glass at the America250 event Thursday night, Trump wasted no time turning the Independence Day festivities into a campaign-style rally.
“They wouldn’t vote only because they hate Trump,” he said, referring to Democratic lawmakers who opposed his recently passed “Big Beautiful Bill.” He added, “But I hate them, too, you know? I really do. I hate them. I cannot stand them, because I really believe they hate our country.”
His comments jarred with the event’s intended tone of unity. Organizers from America250 had promoted the evening as a moment for all Americans to come together, regardless of political affiliation.
Monica Crowley, Trump’s chief of protocol and a liaison to the organizing committee, echoed the partisan shift. While introducing the president, she gushed: “I don’t know what more people expect or want from an American president. He is literally fulfilling the entire job description, and so much more.”
Trump continued to rail against Democrats throughout his speech, accusing them of obstructing progress and promising political payback in the 2026 midterms.
“With everything we did—tax cuts, rebuilding the military—not one Democrat voted with us,” he said. “And I think we use it in the campaign coming up, because we’ve got to beat them.”
He also touted the passage of his bill just hours earlier as “the greatest birthday present America could ask for.”
“We’ve saved our country,” he declared, as MAGA favorite Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” played in the background.
Despite the patriotic backdrop, Trump made clear the night was about political victory. “We got great marks in the first term, and this is going to blow it away,” he said—brushing off recent polling showing a majority of Americans disapprove of his performance.
