President Donald Trump delivered a speech marking the 250th anniversary of US independence on Saturday night after a severe thunderstorm forced the temporary evacuation of the National Mall and disrupted the evening’s schedule. The US Secret Service suspended entry at security checkpoints and organisers urged tens of thousands of attendees to seek shelter, delaying the start of Trump’s appearance by more than an hour. When the gates reopened, returning crowds faced lengthy security screening queues, with some supporters unable to regain access to the site.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump insisted the speech would go ahead regardless of the hour, writing that storms “bring luck” and make events “more exciting.” Italian agency ANSA noted the president’s comparison to a recent mixed martial arts event where forecast rain held off, casting the weather as a positive omen. When he finally took the stage around 11 p.m. local time, Trump told the audience that nothing would deter him, adding that veterans had “faced hell” and that Americans would not let rain ruin the celebration.

Earlier, a record heatwave forced organisers to cancel several daytime events as temperatures in Washington hit 39°C, with the heat index reaching 46°C. Brazilian coverage highlighted the presence of the white supremacist group Patriot Front, whose members were seen travelling into the capital, though local police reported no incidents of violence. International correspondents described chaotic evacuation scenes, with some attendees refusing to leave and chanting Trump’s name, while others hurried for exits amid flashes of lightning.

The speech unfolded against a backdrop of sharp domestic polarization, an ongoing conflict with Iran and cost‑of‑living pressures, which Arabic‑language reports said framed the president’s address as a defence of American identity and future. After the address, organisers proceeded with an unprecedented fireworks display involving approximately 850,000 shells launched from ten sites along the Potomac River, closing a commemoration that had drawn weeks of national events but also logistical strain from extreme weather and security scrutiny.