Donald J. Trump vows to defy storms for America’s 250th birthday celebration

announced he would wait out severe weather to deliver a Fourth of July speech, invoking veterans and a recent UFC event as proof that storms bring good fortune.

First Published: July 5, 2026, 1:16 AM EST

WHITE HOUSE — Donald J. Trump vowed to press forward with a 250th anniversary celebration despite threatening storms on a Truth Social post on July 4, 2026 at 8:05 PM EST.

Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting! We will wait it out, I don’t care if it’s 2:00 O’Clock in the morning, or in one hour from now. Looks like it is going to pass, they always do. I will be there no matter what, but the “what” usually turns out to be a good thing. It’s Saturday night, LETS HAVE SOME FUN, even if we are out late tonight. They say 11:00 O’Clock for the speech. Who cares??? Remember two weeks ago when the big UFC Event was at 100% chance of heavy rain, all week long, and just minutes before the card started. Well, there wasn’t a single drop, and the fights turned out to be among the greatest in history, an event for the ages. Our great veterans, especially the old timers, many of whom are there, went through hellfire, and it didn’t stop them. It’s not going to stop us either! I’m not going to let some rain stop our 250th. I’m leaving the White House soon. God Bless America! Donald J. Trump”

Trump declared he would remain at the event regardless of the hour, pushing the projected speech time to 11 p.m. and rallying supporters to stay late on a Saturday night. He framed the weather delay as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, telling followers that storms “bring luck” and make occasions “a little bit more exciting.”

The president drew a parallel to a recent UFC event that forecasters had predicted would face heavy rain throughout the week. Trump claimed the event escaped without “a single drop” and produced fights he called “among the greatest in history, an event for the ages.” The anecdote served as his case that dire weather forecasts do not always materialize.

Trump also invoked military veterans in attendance, stating that those who “went through hellfire” would not be deterred by rain. He tied their resilience to his own determination, declaring he would not “let some rain stop our 250th,” a reference to the 250th anniversary of the United States. The nation marks its semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, commemorating the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776.

The post concluded with Trump announcing his imminent departure from the White House to join the celebration, signing off with “God Bless America.”

In the last 30 days, 134 of 496 Trump posts fell under the topic “Uncategorized,” suggesting a significant share of the president’s social media output addresses events and personal commentary outside defined policy categories.