President Donald Trump speaks from the Blue Room Balcony as First Lady Melania Trump listens before he signs his signature tax and spending bill at the White House, July 4. (AP Photo)US Independence Day Highlights: US President Donald Trump signed into law a far-reaching package of tax cuts and spending reductions Friday at a White House ceremony held during the Fourth of July picnic and military flyover. The legislation fulfills key campaign promises, including tax relief on tip income and social security payments, and sets in motion sweeping changes to social safety net programs. “America’s winning, winning, winning like never before,” Trump said, noting the Bill’s passage and last month’s military action against Iran, which he said Friday’s stealth bomber flyover was meant to honour.
America 250 campaign: The United States celebrated its independence day. Trump kicked off America’s Independence Day celebrations with the America250 campaign, a day before signing the major tax bill into law on Friday. The campaign is a yearlong celebration to commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. “We’re gonna have a big, big celebration, as you know, 250 years,” he said in his address at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
Possible UFC Championship fight at the White House? A UFC spokesperson confirmed to The Athletic on Friday that a UFC fight is planned to take place on the White House grounds as part of the United States’ 250th birthday celebrations in 2026. The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s remarks to a crowd in Iowa on Thursday, where he first shared the plan. “We’re going to have a UFC fight, think of this, on the grounds of the White House.” He added, “We have a lot of land there… Dana (White) is going to do it,” referring to UFC President Dana White. Trump said the event would host up to 25,000 attendees.
The Fourth of July is a celebration of all things American with parades, backyard barbecues and the night sky lit up with fireworks. But this Independence Day, there were protests planned against Trump’s polices. In places like Southern California, where immigration raids have rattled communities, some July Fourth celebrations were cancelled.
(AP)
Donald Trump welcomed Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old dual American-Israeli citizen, to the White House on Thursday. Alexander was held hostage by Hamas for nearly 600 days before his release in May. During their meeting, Trump praised Alexander's resilience and thanked him for sharing his story. (The New York Times)
These closures are standard for the federal holiday and are confirmed by the US Office of Personnel Management, USA Today, and official federal court calendars.
This Fourth of July, US drivers are seeing relief at the pump—gas is down to about $3.10–3.15 per gallon, the cheapest Independence Day average since 2021, thanks to easing Middle East tensions, increased OPEC+ output, and stable oil markets. Despite a surge in travel—AAA expects a record 61.6 million motorists hitting the road—Americans can breathe easier at the gas station.
Meanwhile, the average cost for a backyard picnic for ten now sits at $70.92, down just 30 cents from last year and making it the second-most expensive July 4 cookout since 2013. While travel and cookouts remain manageable, fireworks may hit your wallet hard. With 99% of consumer fireworks imported from China, prices are spiking due to a 30% tariff.
(With inputs from CNN)
As US gears up for Independence Day on July 4, millions across the nation will tune in to witness America’s grandest fireworks displays from iconic cities. In New York City, Macy’s 49th annual show—featuring over 80,000 shells, innovative projection mapping on the Brooklyn Bridge, and musical performances by Ariana DeBose, the Jonas Brothers, Lenny Kravitz, Ava Max, Keke Palmer, Eric Church, and Trisha Yearwood— is set to kick off around 9:25 pm ET / 6:55 am. IST (July 5). Viewers in India can catch the spectacle live on NBC and Peacock, with additional coverage on Telemundo, CNN, and PBS.
Here’s when and where to watch the July 4th celebrations:
(With inputs from Financial Express)
Among the activities announced or proposed for the America250 initiative are:
In addition to this, a nationwide storytelling project, a volunteerism initiative, and a traveling tech expo are also planned or proposed. A full calendar of the events has not yet been released.
Almost a year before signing the Declaration of Independence, American colonists made a final attempt to avoid war with Britain. On July 5, 1775, the Continental Congress approved the Olive Branch Petition, written by John Dickinson. It asked King George III to help resolve tensions by reversing policies like tax increases and military crackdowns.
“We mean not to dissolve that Union,” the petition read, expressing loyalty to the king but blaming Parliament and British officials for the conflict. Congress hoped for reconciliation, not full separation.
At the same time, Congress prepared for war. It approved a separate document, The Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, stating the colonies’ right to defend themselves.
King George refused to read the petition and declared the colonies in rebellion. Soon after, Congress appointed George Washington as commander of the Continental Army.
(With inputs from AP)
US President Donald Trump’s nearly 900-page tax and spending bill passed the House 218-214 on Thursday after Senate approval, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The bill includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, military funding, and deep spending reductions, and is set to be signed by July 4. The bill makes Trump-era tax rates permanent and adds deductions for tips, overtime, and auto loans.
A $6,000 deduction is added for older adults earning under $75,000. The child tax credit rises to $2,200, though lower-income families may not receive the full amount. The SALT cap increases to $40,000 for five years.
Businesses get immediate write-offs on equipment, and wealthy households stand to gain about $12,000, while the poorest could lose $1,600 due to benefit cuts (CBO).
(With inputs from AP. Read full report here)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday proposed hosting a UFC fight on the White House grounds to celebrate 250 years of American independence. “We have a lot of land there,” said Trump, a longtime UFC enthusiast and close friend of league president Dana White. “Think of this on the grounds of the White House... a full fight with 20,000 to 25,000 people,” he added, during the America250 kickoff event in Iowa.
Trump also announced plans for a culminating festival on the National Mall and a national sports competition for high school athletes. “So every one of our national parks, battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America 250,” he said. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that Trump was “dead serious” about the UFC event. A spokesperson said no further details were available at this time.
(With inputs from AP)
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