When reflecting on the foundational elements of the United States, we often think of key documents like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. In celebration of the 250th birthday of America, a special event was organized to promote the values these documents represent.

Ann Friedman hosted this event at Planet Word, a language museum in Washington focused on literacy. Singer-composer Nolan Williams Jr. led the attendees in singing classic American tunes, including Woody Guthrie’s ‘This Land Is Your Land.’

Despite the challenging 100-degree heat, a diverse gathering of 300 participants filled the main hall. Young and old joined together in song, creating an atmosphere of joy and unity. The event left many wishing such harmony could be a daily reality across the nation, sparking discussions about organizing similar gatherings on the National Mall.

However, the evening on the Mall offered a contrasting experience, reflecting a different version of Guthrie’s song. This variation seemed emblematic of former President Trump’s attitude, which often focused on division and personal benefit rather than national unity.

As reported by Shawn McCreesh, Trump used the Fourth of July celebrations to attack Democrats and push for voting restrictions, turning a national moment into a rally for his supporters.

Adding to the controversy, newsroom colleagues Eric Lipton and David Yaffe-Bellany revealed financial losses faced by Trump’s supporters. Nearly one million buyers of his memecoin suffered a combined loss of $3.81 billion. This came after Trump disclosed a personal gain of $636 million from the same venture, contributing to his $2.2 billion earnings in 2025.