WASHINGTON – In a momentous address commemorating America’s 250th birthday, President Trump delivered an impassioned speech celebrating the nation’s “glory” while vowing to shield it from the threat of communism, which he described as a “cancer.”

“For 250 years, the United States has been a beacon of hope, promise, and brilliance, standing unmatched among nations worldwide. Many aspire to be like us, but none succeed,” Trump declared. He spoke to an enthusiastic crowd exceeding 150,000 on the National Mall, who waited despite a thunderstorm-induced evacuation for the president’s late-night speech.

The president highlighted America’s achievements by honoring Medal of Honor recipients, displaying historic flags from significant military engagements, and featuring the astronauts of the Artemis II mission on stage. He also issued a stark caution about the rising threat from the far left.

“America will never fall under the shadow of communism — it simply will not happen,” he promised firmly. “Communism is destined for failure, and it shall always remain so.”

“Our brave soldiers did not fight against communism across global battlefields to allow that threat to resurface here in America. We will not permit it,” Trump asserted.

“All these talks from the communists, they haven’t got a chance,” claimed the president in response to candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America triumphing in multiple Democratic primaries this cycle.

“We don’t want communists in our country,” he added. “Never worked, and it never will work.”

Trump reiterated his warnings from a speech one day earlier at Mount Rushmore, a sign he plans to hammer the issue throughout the midterm campaign.

“We like to stop a threat like that immediately,” he said, describing communism as “like a cancer. You got to cut it out, you got to cut it out fast.”

The speech, which was followed by a record-setting fireworks display that continued the festivities into July 5, capped a week marked by record-setting heat, a sparsely attended state fair, and hours of flyovers that shook Washington.

Trump mainly stuck to his script but he peppered his remarks with a few asides and personal pleas, including imploring Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require would-be voters to present photo ID when casting ballots and proof of citizenship when registering. 

The president even joked about his pet peeve — the weaponization of government — but quickly got back on topic.

“Unlike so many others in the world, in this country we have freedom of speech, freedom of religion, equal justice under the law. Although I wasn’t treated that well, but we won’t get into that,” Trump said.

The president started his speech one hour and 45 minutes late after severe weather forced organizers to evacuate the Mall shortly after 7 p.m. Many sought shelter in nearby federal buildings and rushed to make it back through security in time to hear the president, who joked that he would have given his speech at 4 a.m. if needed.

“One of my very brilliant people backstage said, ‘Don’t worry about it, sir, we can do it maybe next week,’” Trump joked. “I said, ‘It doesn’t work next week.’ This is the big day. We want July 4. We’re not looking for July something else.”

Some spectators refused to leave, booing as the organizers announced the evacuation. Those who did leave faced a mad rush to get back into the secure area, with people pushing to get through the magnetometers while chanting “U-S-A, open the gates.”

The president thanked those who came back for his remarks, noting “lighting will never stop you.”

Trump concluded with an optimistic vision of the future, proclaiming that “at 250 years, we may be the oldest constitutional republic on earth, but our country is just getting started, because the best is yet to come.”

“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, for our children, for the cause of liberty, we are going to take our country to new levels, to levels not reached.

“We’re going to make it bigger, better, stronger, and we’re going to love it even more. And I just want to thank you … and I want to thank everybody, and we love you all, and it’s an honor to be your president.”

He concluded his remarks shortly before the calendar turned to July 5, staying at the site with first lady Melania Trump to watch the fireworks. Several members of his cabinet were also there, as were first son Don Jr. and his new wife Bettina, along with some of the Trump grandchildren.

Those who stuck it out were treated to more than 800,000 fireworks launched from the Potomac River and other sites aroud Washington, dramatically backdropped by flickers of lightning as military members played selections from six decades of pop music — including the president’s favorite, “YMCA.”

President Rogrigo Paz’s conservative, pro-American administration is confronting pressure from radical factions. These opposition groups, led by a former socialist president, have compelled Bolivia’s government to declare a state of emergency.

Bolivia, a mineral-rich nation without coastal access, finds itself engulfed in one of its most severe political crises in recent memory. Economic instability, widespread protests, and a contentious debate over the country’s future are poised to alter South America’s power dynamics.

This upheaval follows prolonged political discord after socialist President Evo Morales’s era. His Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party dominated the nation’s politics for close to two decades, but fractures within the party, economic struggles, and public disillusionment have eroded its influence, ushering in a period marked by uncertainty.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has voiced robust support for the Paz government, denouncing any attempts to destabilize Bolivia.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States “will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere” and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Bolivia’s “stability, security, and a better future for all Bolivians.”

Speaking on background, a State Department spokesperson told News Media, “The United States strongly supports President Rodrigo Paz’s decision on June 20 to declare a State of Exception to restore order and ensure the free flow of food, medicine, and essential supplies to the Bolivian people.  We are glad that the blockades in Bolivia have ended and the government has restored order.”

Bolivia’s crisis has been driven by Morales and his supporters furious at the Paz reforms. Protests and road blockades have disrupted transportation, caused shortages and increased pressure on the Paz government.

José Luis Lupo, chief of staff and minister of the presidency of Bolivia told News Media: “After more than 50 days of blockades that severely disrupted the supply of food, fuel, and medicines, paralyzing much of the country’s economic activity and straining its democratic stability, I am convinced that Bolivia now faces a unique opportunity to transform a deep crisis into the starting point for a new phase of national reconstruction.”

He noted that “for weeks, we sought agreements with various sectors because we believe that, in a democracy, every avenue for mutual understanding must be exhausted before resorting to extraordinary measures.”

He said the state of emergency [state of exception] “was the constitutional last resort to restore freedom of movement, protect critical infrastructure and ensure that Bolivians could once again access essential goods. It was not a measure intended to restrict rights, but rather to protect lives, preserve democracy and restore freedom of movement to millions of citizens.”

The turmoil has also had consequences beyond Bolivia’s borders. The country holds some of the world’s largest lithium resources, a key mineral for electric vehicles, batteries and advanced technology supply chains. Competition for influence in resource-rich Latin America has become increasingly important for Washington as China and other global powers expand their presence in the region.

Bolivia’s political crisis reflects a broader trend across Latin America, where voters in the last few election cycles have elected conservatives who challenged the left’s business-as-usual politics and in doing so have taken the continent in a rightward direction.

The socialist Morales remains an influential figure and continues to command support among rural and indigenous groups, keeping Bolivia’s political divisions alive even as the country searches for a path out of the crisis.

Mauricio Ríos García, manager of Crusoe Research and editor of FRACTAL Index in Bolivia, told News Media, “The 50-day blockades have caused estimated losses of $2.5 billion and the closure of around 13,000 companies. Once the blockades end, a rebound in demand combined with excess liquidity is expected to drive inflation higher.”

Ríos said, “The government is nearing an IMF agreement that would likely include a new devaluation (exchange rate unification) and other adjustments in exchange for financing of around $3.3–5 billion. This marks growing dependence on the IMF and the United States, while the gradualist approach has left the economy with very little room for maneuver and risks further instability.

“Expectations for Bolivia’s economy in the second half of the year have been revised downward. Blockades and deeper structural problems rooted in the government’s gradualist fiscal and monetary policies have worsened the difficult inheritance from the previous administration,” he concluded.

For Washington, Bolivia’s future represents more than a domestic political dispute. The outcome could influence America’s strategic position in the Western Hemisphere, the future of critical minerals, and whether Latin America’s recent political shift continues moving away from the left-wing movements that dominated parts of the region during the last two decades.

“I am convinced that stability will only endure if it is accompanied by inclusion. There can be no peace where neglect and inequality persist. That is why we are driving a development agenda for historically marginalized regions, particularly the provinces of La Paz, focused on infrastructure, basic services, productive development and the participation of the communities themselves,” Lupo said.

And as the barricades have lessened, Lupo, chief of staff and minister of the presidency of Bolivia, says, “A different phase is now beginning. I believe the country needs a broad political and social agreement involving the government, parliamentary forces, the regions, the productive sector, and civil society. Bolivia needs to pass reforms that provide legal certainty, promote investment, and modernize strategic sectors such as hydrocarbons, mining, lithium, renewable energy and the justice system. Such consensus is essential to restoring confidence, stabilizing the economy and generating sustainable growth.

“I hope to see Bolivia definitively replace confrontation with dialogue, strengthen its institutions, and build a more robust economy characterized by clear rules, democratic stability and greater opportunities for all,” Lupo concluded.

The Trump administration had increased emergency humanitarian assistance to help address food and medical shortages caused by weeks of unrest, underscoring U.S. concerns that prolonged instability could have broader implications for regional security and democracy.

On the day Taylor Swift tied the knot with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, she faced the heartbreaking loss of her favorite teacher, who had also worked as her security guard.

Kirk Schwabe, aged 69, succumbed to renal cancer on July 3, coinciding with Swift’s private wedding ceremony held at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, according to a report by The Telegraph.

Before his tenure as her security guard, Schwabe served as a Chicago police officer. He later taught criminal justice at Henderson High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where he inspired Swift between 2004 and 2006.

As Swift’s career began to soar in 2009, Schwabe left his teaching role to become her bodyguard, following a request from her family.

In a touching tribute, Swift referenced Schwabe by naming her character’s teacher Mr. Schwabe during her cameo in Garry Marshall’s romantic comedy “Valentine’s Day.”

In an interview ahead of the nuptials, Schwabe recounted to The Telegraph how he once told a young Swift: ‘You’re a superstar. This is not fun and games no more. You are it.’ 

‘Everything keeps going up and up and up, and the sky’s the limit for you.’

But he described watching Swift’s rise to fame as a ‘panic.’

‘If anything happens, I’m the guy,’ he noted. ‘We got four or 500 people in here and I got extra security guards, but I don’t know a lot of those guys who got hired, I don’t know what their qualifications are.’

Schwabe ultimately decided to leave the job after a few years, saying he was burnt out but still loved the singer.

In the years since, his family said he remained immensely proud of everything Swift accomplished and that he was happy for her and Kelce.

His wife, Jane, said he treated Swift ‘like he did his daughters.’ 

Sarah, one of his daughters, added: ‘My dad had a remarkable way of making people feel seen, valued and protected.

‘Whether you were family, one of his students or someone like Taylor whose path crossed his, he cared deeply about people,’ she said. ‘That’s the legacy he leaves behind.’ 

Schwabe also told The Telegraph in his final interview that he was confident his former student chose a good husband.

‘I do trust Taylor’s judgment,’ he said. ‘She knows what’s best.’ 

Swift and Kelce tied the knot in front of 1,000 of their closest friends – including some of the world’s biggest stars – in a colossal blowout at the historic arena in New York City on Friday.

At exactly 7.30pm, the couple shared the news in blockbuster style, lighting up the iconic music venue with video ads which read ‘JUST&T MARRIED!’, a romantic nod to their shared initials.

And now, some of the A-list guests have offered a first glimpse into how the couple overhauled the space into their own fairytale wedding.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday morning, personal trainer Rob Jordan’s wife, Joann Jordan, shared photos of her and her husband taken on the day of the wedding.

One of the snaps showed the couple walking up the large staircase to the party, which was covered in a gorgeous, peach-colored velvet carpet.

Surrounding the stairs were light and dark pink curtains, making the space private and magical.

‘An unforgettable evening in New York celebrating the beginning of a beautiful new chapter for our dear friends, Travis and Taylor. Love was in the air, the city was magical and every detail was simply unforgettable,’ Joann Jordan wrote in the caption. 

AMC CEO Adam Aron also shared how MSG was completely transformed into a ‘secret garden’ for the couple.

In a now-deleted post on X, Aron shared every detail of the night, including the fact that Kelce wore a white tuxedo, while Swift was in a ‘stunning white wedding dress.’

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‘It did not look like Madison Square Garden. Immediately upon entry, everything… floors, walls, ceilings… was draped in peach and white,’ Aron wrote, in part.

‘Large blown up pictures of Taylor and Travis at each age, year by year from one year-old to late teenager-hood, were on display,’ his messaged continued.

‘A small portion of MSG was cordoned off, devoid of any notion that that a basketball or hockey game ever shared that space. Somehow magically, someone created an outdoor garden at a lush countryside retreat.’  

‘Everything draped off this time in green and white. Real flowers and I think artificial trees welcomed fifteen rows of maybe 75 or so chairs. They say there were around one thousand attendees, but surprisingly, it all felt intimate and small. Everything was close.’

The CEO described the exchange of their vows as ’emotional’ and ‘charming.’

‘Long, entertaining, personal, charming, emotional, irreverent and endearing explorations by each as to how they met, why they want to be with each other for all eternity, the promises they made in joining their much-beloved two whole families (Kelce’s and Swift’s) as one, and committing to their new mutual life together,’ he wrote.

He emphasized that Swift and Kelce had clearly found their ‘soulmate’ in each other, and guests had witnessed ‘real’ and true ‘pure joy.’

Both the bride and groom were dressed in Christian Dior, Swift’s publicist announced after they said their ‘I dos.’

There were no bridesmaids. Instead, Taylor’s brother, Austin Swift, acted as her ‘man of honor’, and Travis’s brother, Jason Kelce, was the best man.

Jason’s daughters were the flower girls, tossing petals at Taylor’s feet as she made her way down the aisle with a string quartet playing one of her own songs.

George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan spilled some more details about the biggest wedding of the year on Good Morning America on Saturday morning.

‘It was really this garden inside The Garden,’ Stephanopoulos said. ‘It was just so beautiful.’ 

‘We can confirm that Stevie Nicks performed,’ his cohost Robin Roberts followed up. 

Roberts and Stephanopoulos both agreed that despite the large guest list, the ceremony was ‘intimate.’

‘It’s hard to imagine that a place that big, and a wedding with such stars, could feel so personal and so intimate,’ Stephanopoulos said.

The guest list included a dazzling array of the world’s biggest stars.

Selena Gomez, Gigi Hadid, Lena Dunham and Dakota Johnson were among the bride’s closest friends there.

Steven Spielberg was also in attendance, and Beyonce and Jay Z are also understood to have attended.

There was also Brad Pitt, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa, Hugh Grant, Graham Norton, Jessica Alba, Tom Brady, Chris Rock and almost every NFL player imaginable.

The guest list also included Zoe Kravitz, Graham Norton, Ethan Hawke, Nelly, Andrew Scott, Ice Spice, Kareem Hunt and Laura Dern.

Eagle-eyed fans clocked some surprise guests and notable absences.

Karlie Kloss, once known as one of Swift’s closest friends, attended with her husband Joshua Kushner.

Swift did not attend Kloss’s 2019 wedding after the pair had a rumored feud over the model’s close bond with the singer’s nemesis Scooter Braun.

Her inclusion on the guest list appeared to signal the pair had patched up their relationship.

However, there was no sign of Swift’s longtime pal Blake Lively, with whom the pop star had a purported falling out over her inclusion in the movie star’s legal battle with Justin Baldoni.