Trump says there will be yearlong celebration for US 250th anniversary if he's president

Former President Donald Trump made a campaign pledge that there would be a yearlong celebration for America's 250th anniversary in 2026 if he is elected president.

"On day one, I will convene a White House task force called 'Salute to America 250,'" Trump said. "It will be responsible for coordinating with state and local governments to ensure not just one day of celebration, but an entire year of festivities across the nation, starting on Memorial Day 2025 and continuing through July 4, 2026."

Trump said it would be a "most spectacular birthday party" and that he would work with the 50 state governors to have a "Great American State Fair" where each was represented.

He also mentioned high school sporting events that would be called the "patriot games" and a National Garden of American Heroes.

"America's tourist industry should get ready because we're gonna have a lot of people coming," Trump said. "It will be a record year."

There is already a U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission that was established by Congress in 2016 to plan for the 250th anniversary.