On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary, President Donald Trump delivered a patriotic speech at Mount Rushmore. He declared the United States as the “most exceptional nation ever to exist,” promising it would “never be a Communist country.”

Standing beneath the granite faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt, Trump emphasized American exceptionalism. He spoke as festivities around the nation’s 250th anniversary began.

“In all the chronicles of the ages, never before has any nation celebrated so magnificent a triumph as this one,” Trump told the crowd.

He continued by highlighting America’s unique status: “At 250 years, America is the oldest republic on earth. We are the freest people on earth. We have the most righteous and enduring Constitution on earth. We are the strongest and most powerful country on earth. And by the grace of God, the United States of America is the most successful, most accomplished, most exceptional nation ever to exist in human history.”

He praised the nation’s history, asserting that no other country has achieved as much as the United States.

“The birth and survival of the American nation under God is, quite simply, the best and most incredible thing ever to happen on this planet by human hands,” he said. “No other country has done more good for this world than the United States of America.”

Before Trump’s address, the new Air Force One flew over Mount Rushmore, drawing cheers from spectators. The president stayed to watch a fireworks display over the Black Hills following his remarks.

Trump discussed the challenges facing the country, pointing to what he described as a growing communist movement aiming to undermine America’s “exceptional character” and “alienate us from our history.” He posed the question, “What does it mean to be an American?”

Describing communism as “the greatest threat” to the United States, Trump stated:

“It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War One, World War Two, Pearl Harbor, or even 9/11,” he said. “We’re not going to let this happen to us. Believe me, we’re not letting it happen, because communism is the enemy of free people.”

He further explained, “Communism is the exact opposite of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness — it is death, tyranny and the pursuit of evil.”

Trump drew a clear line for Americans: “You can be loyal to Karl Marx, or you can be loyal to America. You can be a communist, or you can be a patriot. You cannot be both.”

Reflecting on America’s past sacrifices as a guide for the future, Trump said:

“Our American ancestors did not shed their blood at Concord and Trenton, Gettysburg and Shiloh, Midway and Normandy, just so that a band of thieves, radicals and lunatics could come in and loot, pillage our nation.”

He also praised the four presidents represented at Mount Rushmore, claiming they symbolize America’s founding ideals.

“They were men of action, men of ambition, men of daring, men of destiny, and men of truly great intelligence,” he said. “Above all, they were great men of history. Tonight, on the threshold of our 250th year, we stand beneath the monument of these heroes, a true group of unbelievable people. And we rededicate ourselves to being a nation as big, bold, noble, and as great as these American giants.”

Trump was scheduled to deliver another speech on Saturday at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., followed by a fireworks display celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

“We know that this is not an ending,” Trump said. “This is only the beginning of the golden age of America.”