USA at 250: How Trump and millions of Americans are celebrating historic July 4

America turns 250 this July 4, and the celebrations are on a scale never seen before. A giant state fair, a record-breaking fireworks show, nationwide events and President Donald Trump's Freedom 250 initiative are all part of an anniversary that organisers hope will be remembered for generations.

The celebrations, however, are unfolding against a backdrop of political debate. While Congress has allocated $150 million in federal funding for the semiquincentennial, President Donald Trump has also launched his own parallel celebrations through Freedom 250, a public-private initiative that has become one of the driving forces behind this year's events.

From a giant state fair in Washington to a record-breaking fireworks display and a White House UFC event, this year's Independence Day celebrations are bigger than ever.

TRUMP HEADLINES THE CELEBRATIONS

Trump has played a leading role throughout Independence Week.

Earlier this week, he attended the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota, where he praised the former president.

Calling Theodore Roosevelt "a man who I have long admired," Trump toured the museum before addressing supporters.

On July 3, Trump travelled to South Dakota for the return of fireworks at Mount Rushmore Memorial after a six-year gap. The monument, carved into the Black Hills, features four iconic US presidents and is expected to serve as one of the centrepieces of this year's celebrations.

The US President is also scheduled to address crowds at the Mall in Washington on July 4 despite an intense heatwave affecting much of the country.

A GIANT STATE FAIR TAKES OVER WASHINGTON

One of the biggest attractions is a 16-day State Fair stretching from the US Capitol to the Washington Monument.

Running from June 25 to July 10, the exhibition showcases all 56 US states and territories through food, culture, exhibits and entertainment.

The event has also attracted controversy.

Several musicians, including Martina McBride, The Commodores and Young MC, withdrew before the concerts began.

Trump responded by cancelling the planned musical line-up and promising something different.

"We don't want singers with no talent, but big fees to put you to sleep, we've told them all to stay home," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Instead, he promised supporters "the Greatest Rally, EVER!"

Country singer Alexis Wilkins, the longtime partner of FBI Director Kash Patel, performed the US national anthem during the celebrations.

WHITE HOUSE HOSTS HISTORIC UFC EVENT

One of the most unusual events of the anniversary celebrations took place at the White House itself.

Trump celebrated his 80th birthday alongside America's 250th anniversary by hosting the first-ever professional UFC event on the White House lawn.

Thousands of fans attended as Justin Gaethje defeated Ilia Topuria to win the lightweight title.

UFC president Dana White, a longtime Trump ally, attended the event alongside senior administration officials. During the evening, spectators even sang "Happy Birthday" to the president.

The White House said Freedom 250 organised the event, while the UFC covered all costs.

Security was also heightened after the FBI said it had foiled an alleged plot to attack the event, leading to the arrest of eight suspects.

FIREWORKS SET TO LIGHT UP THE SKY

The highlight of the celebrations comes on Independence Day with what organisers say will be the largest fireworks show ever staged in Washington. Freedom 250 plans to launch more than 860,000 fireworks during a 40-minute display over the Mall.

According to organisers, the only instruction given to Pyrotecnico, the company producing the spectacle, was to surpass the Philippines' 2016 world record for the largest fireworks display.

The event is expected to dwarf a traditional July 4 show, which usually features around 10,000 fireworks and lasts less than 20 minutes.

The anniversary is being marked far beyond Washington.

In New York City's Times Square, the famous ball will drop eight separate times to mark midnight across each American time zone.

Philadelphia plans to bury a time capsule that will remain sealed until 2276.

"When it is opened in 2276, we want future generations to have a clear, authentic window into who we were at 250 – what we valued, what we built, and how we saw ourselves as a nation," America250 Chair Rosie Rios said, as quoted by BBC.

Los Angeles will host a major concert at the Memorial Coliseum, while cities including Milwaukee are organising neighbourhood block parties.

HOW AMERICANS PLAN TO CELEBRATE

While official events dominate the headlines, many Americans are celebrating in more traditional ways.

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 80 per cent of Americans plan to mark Independence Day this year. Support remains high across political lines, with 91 per cent of Republicans, 76 per cent of Democrats and 74 per cent of independents saying they will celebrate.

Nearly half of respondents plan to attend a cookout with friends or family, while 34 per cent intend to watch a fireworks display. Another 18 per cent expect to set off fireworks themselves, and 41 per cent plan to display the American flag outside their homes.

At the same time, the survey highlighted the country's political divisions. Around one in five Americans said they would not celebrate the holiday, while 38 per cent believed it was unlikely the United States would still exist as a single nation 250 years from now.

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With inputs from agencies