United States Semiquincentennial

Richardson says that as Freedom 250 took funding from America 250, Americans found their own ways to celebrate, such as at the Knicks celebration and the Obama Presidential Center opening.

“Trump's group, has basically taken almost all of the money from the bipartisan, congressionally-backed America 250, is that Americans themselves are finding their own ways to celebrate”

Pod Save America: Heather Cox Richardson on Trump’s 250th Celebrations (Jun 21, 2026) · Listen from 12:25

Richardson argues that great presidents are remembered for improving Americans' lives rather than for putting their names on things.

“They're the ones who carved their memory into the American people by making their lives better”

Pod Save America: Heather Cox Richardson on Trump’s 250th Celebrations (Jun 21, 2026) · Listen from 4:31

Richardson argues that there is no historical precedent for Trump's use of the 250th celebrations, because his administration rejects basic democratic principles.

“We're in a really different moment than ever before in American history with an administration that's rejecting the basic principles of our democratic government”

Pod Save America: Heather Cox Richardson on Trump’s 250th Celebrations (Jun 21, 2026) · Listen from 3:30

Vietor praises Mamdani's July 4th speech as a patriotic, optimistic message in the style of Barack Obama.

“Look, it was a very Obama message. So no surprise that I liked it”

Pod Save America: Trump Works the FIFA Refs (Jul 7, 2026) · Listen from 59:13

Vietor argues Trump should have canceled his July 4th speech given the dangerous heat instead of having supporters wait for hours.

“But what is dangerously hot outside? The thing you do is you cancel your speech”

Pod Save America: Trump Works the FIFA Refs (Jul 7, 2026) · Listen from 57:33

Rubenstein says interest in the Declaration of Independence around the semiquincentennial has driven up prices of historic copies.

“the Declaration of Independence, because of the semi-quincentennial, has become a document of greater interest to people, so the prices have gone up dramatically”

My First Million: David Rubenstein: We took $5M and turned it into $500B (Sep 14, 2026) · Listen from 32:01

Hayes described Larry David's HBO special for the 250th anniversary, in which David inserts himself into reenacted historical events.

“Larry David did a show for HBO to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, and he put himself into historical scenarios to reenact them”

SmartLess: "Timothy Olyphant" (Jul 20, 2026) · Listen from 54:32

Pfeiffer argues Trump's America 250 events are failing to reach people because he is making them about himself.

“He's trying to make it about himself and that was doomed to fail”

Pod Save America: Trump’s 4th Threesome (Jul 2, 2026) · Listen from 9:01

Callahan argues the 250th anniversary is underplayed by mainstream media because Donald Trump is president.

“I feel like it's not as celebrated in the mainstream media because the current occupant of the White House is the current occupant of the White House”

The Megyn Kelly Show: Taylor Swift's "Big Fat Disney Wedding," Prince Harry's UK Plot, and Nancy Guthrie Ransom Note Debate, with Maureen Callahan | Ep. 1352 (Jul 2, 2026) · Listen from 1:01:16

Patterson argues Americans must work together better to protect the country.

“we have to start rowing in the same direction better than we have been”

The Megyn Kelly Show: Shady California Vote Counting, and Dems' Platner Hypocrisy, with Sohrab Ahmari and Sean Davis, Plus James Patterson on Patriotism | Ep. 1333 (Jun 5, 2026) · Listen from 1:38:19

Megyn Kelly theorizes musicians withdrew from Freedom 250 not from fear of political backlash but because of the universally negative reaction to the lineup.

“I actually don't think this is fear of a backlash for getting too political or being in favor of Trump”

The Megyn Kelly Show: Jill Biden's OBVIOUS Lies, and the Spencer Pratt Momentum, with Jesse Kelly, Damilare Sonoiki and Stepfanie Tyler | Ep. 1328 (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 1:17:30

Stepfanie Tyler calls performers who drop out of the Freedom 250 event under pressure cowardly, arguing one can love America and hate Trump.

“I feel like these people don't know you can love America and hate Trump”

The Megyn Kelly Show: Jill Biden's OBVIOUS Lies, and the Spencer Pratt Momentum, with Jesse Kelly, Damilare Sonoiki and Stepfanie Tyler | Ep. 1328 (May 29, 2026) · Listen from 1:13:24