US marks 250th Independence amid heatwave, Trump rally, deep divisions

America marks its 250th Independence Day on Saturday amid a brutal heatwave that has put about 160 million people under extreme heat warnings, disrupting parades and block parties nationwide. President Donald Trump is using the festivities to stage a massive campaign‑style rally on the National Mall, promising a long speech and what he calls the world’s biggest fireworks display, even as temperatures are expected to hit 41 degrees Celsius (107 degrees Fahrenheit). Earlier he visited Mount Rushmore, where he warned that American identity is ‘under a renewed attack’ and warned of a ‘communist menace’ from the left, a theme he has repeated ahead of the November midterms.

Polls show a deep split: 61% of Americans say the country is falling short of the Declaration’s ideals, with most Republicans disagreeing and most Democrats agreeing. Critics call the rhetoric divisive, while supporters praise his patriotism. Some Nigerians in the diaspora say they still value freedoms and safety in the US, but others lament the growing hostility and inequality.

For Nigerians with family, study or work ties to the United States, the political climate could affect visa policies, trade ties and remittance flows. How might the current US political climate and extreme weather influence your plans to travel, study or send money to the US?

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/07/04/us-turns-250-as-trump-warns-of-attack-on-american-identity/