DES MOINES, Iowa — Trump visited Iowa two years ago and promised that, if he made it back into the White House, he would return for a celebration of America’s birthday.
On the eve of the Fourth of July, to a roaring crowd donning MAGA hats and waving American flags, he fulfilled that promise.
“The Golden Age of America is upon us,” Trump told his supporters.
“I couldn’t have even said it in my first term, I’m telling you this is going to blow the first term away,” he continued.
Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless the USA” as Trump takes the stage in Iowa. @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/kfjHAMJALn
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) July 4, 2025
And we are off to Iowa! @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/I6W1RvxnnY
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) July 3, 2025
Hours before taking off for his trip, the “Big, Beautiful Bill” passed. The legislation, to be signed on Friday, codifies a majority of Trump’s agenda just six months into his administration.
“There could be no better birthday present for America than the phenomenal victory we achieved just hours ago, when Congress passed the one big beautiful bill to make America great again,” Trump said.
A cheery Trump spoke to the Daily Caller and other reporters before jetting off to Iowa, saying that he didn’t need to make any deals to get conservative holdouts to vote for the bill. Two Republican congressmen voted against Trump’s beloved bill. Though previously pledging to primary Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, Trump declined to say whether he wanted to primary the other congressman. But he told the Caller he was “disappointed” in Pennsylvania Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick.
“Well I was disappointed that he did that. There were two of them that voted no. So I was disappointed,” Trump told the Caller.
An image of Washington crossing the Delaware is seen on screen as supporters wait for US President Donald Trump’s address during the Salute to America celebration at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on July 3, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
With temperatures in the 90’s supporters of President Donald Trump wait for the start of a rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. Today Congress narrowly passed Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The ‘BBB’ was the perfect cap to Trump’s planned event, which replicated one of his signature rallies. Some of his most dedicated supporters were spotted in the front row of the crowd. Renowned Country Singer Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless the USA” as Trump took the stage. Many attendees, who continued to pour in after the president began speaking, wore “Trump Won” gear and held up birthday signs for the nation and American flags.
Speaking for just over an hour, Trump rattled off his administration’s accomplishments for nearly half of his speech. From securing the border, to bombing Iran to keeping men out of women’s sports to even making English the official language of America and, of course, renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, each of the president’s wins were met with loud cheers from Iowans. And sometimes even roaring “USA” chants.
Several cabinet officials traveled with Trump to mark America’s birthday, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Trump shouted out Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins several times, who met the president in Iowa.
Huge crowd at the Iowa State Fair breaks out in “USA” chants as Trump begins his speech kicking off America’s 250th year. pic.twitter.com/EArIwaSjYl
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) July 4, 2025
Here at the Iowa State Fair! @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/us93yjlWkl
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) July 4, 2025
To mark the occasion, Trump didn’t just rattle off his accomplishments — he teased new projects that his administration was working on. He also announced his plans to celebrate America’s 250th year.
Speaking on immigration, Trump said his team was drafting up legislation on how illegal immigrants could remain in the country if their employers, like farmers, wanted them to. (RELATED: Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Just Changed The Game On Immigration)
“Brooke Rollins brought it up and she said, ‘So we have a little problem, the farmers are losing a lot of people,’” Trump said. “And we figured it out, and we have some great stuff being written. And let the farmers be responsible.”
US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the Salute to America Celebration at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on July 3, 2025. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump arrives for a rally to kick off the July Fourth holiday weekend at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on July 03, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa. The president used the opportunity to tout his just-passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” which outlines his administration’s spending priorities. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Throughout America’s 250th year, several events and occasions will be held. Across the nation, the best high school athletes from all 50 states will compete in the “Patriot Games” which will be nationally televised and overseen by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., Trump announced in Iowa. Trump also announced that the administration will put on a giant festival, titled the “Great American State Fair,” that will kick off in Iowa.
In the most newsworthy moment of Trump’s trip, the president announced that he will also be holding a UFC fight at the White House to celebrate America’s birthday. Dana White will be in charge, according to Trump.
“Exactly one year from tomorrow, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding with a birthday party the likes of which you have never seen before,” Trump told the crowd.
IN IOWA: Trump announces that the administration will launch the “Patriot Games” where all the best high school athletes from all 50 states will compete. The games will be nationally streamed and overseen by @SecKennedy. @DailyCaller
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) July 4, 2025
Trump’s July 3rd celebration started with debate over whether the BBB would make it to his desk. It ended with fireworks at the Iowa State Fair in celebration of the country, and perhaps the passing of his prized legislation too.
“We will fight, fight, fight. We will win, win, win, because we are Americans. And our hearts bleed red, white and blue,” Trump said, in a red hat with “USA” written on the top.
