Trump touts promises kept at America250 kickoff event at Iowa State Fairgrounds

President Donald Trump touted “promise[s] kept” during his address at the America250 kickoff event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Thursday after Republicans passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier in the day.

“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 told the crowd shortly after jumping on stage. “With this bill, every major promise I made to the people of Iowa in 2024 became a promise kept.”  

The bill is expected to be signed by the president during an official signing ceremony Friday afternoon on the Fourth of July holiday.

TRUMP ANNOUNCES HE WILL KICK OFF INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND WITH ‘VERY SPECIAL’ PATRIOTIC EVENT

Trump’s speech in America’s heartland kicks off a series of events over the next year celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The celebrations are being spearheaded by the America250 commission, a bipartisan cohort of private citizens and lawmakers.

President Donald Trump was in Iowa for a patriotic event kicking off a year celebrating America’s indepdendence. (Alex Brandon/Pool via Reuters)

“This momentous gathering in the heartland signals the beginning of an extraordinary year ahead, one where America250 will unite our nation through events in every state and territory, culminating in the most monumental celebration our country has ever known,” America250 said of Trump’s visit on Thursday.

The celebration comes after Trump held a military parade honoring the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary June 14, which included tanks chugging down the streets of Washington, D.C., military flyovers and a grand fireworks display over the National Mall. The parade was held on Flag Day, which also marked Trump’s 79th birthday. 

Other patriotic events are already on America250’s schedule as a year of celebration kicks off July 3, including the ongoing Department of Transportation’s Great American Road Trip initiative, which encourages Americans to explore the nation’s highways and byways, a Fourth of July celebration at President George Washington’s Mount Vernon and historical battle reenactments.

TRUMP TO HOST MILITARY PARADE TO CELEBRATE ARMY’S 250TH BIRTHDAY, HONOR ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS

A staff member hands out signs before an event featuring President Donald Trump, not pictured, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, Thursday, July 3, 2025. (Scott Morgan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

During the president’s address in Iowa Thursday night, he praised Iowans for their support, noting “we won so much here.” 

“We love Iowa, and we won all three times. So, that’s pretty good — and won by a lot,” Trump said. “But I’m thrilled to be back in a state that I love, and I really do love it too. With thousands of proud, hardworking patriots at the world-famous Iowa State Fairgrounds. Thank you.”

Attendees at Thursday’s America250 kickoff event had been lining up outside the Iowa State Fairgrounds since this morning to get inside where Trump is speaking despite temperatures in the mid-90s ahead of the event.

TRUMP WHITE HOUSE RELEASES VIDEO SERIES LEADING UP TO AMERICA’S 250TH BIRTHDAY: ‘ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE’

Trump was at the Iowa State Fairgrounds to kick off a year of patriotic events in honor of America’s 250 years of independence in 2026. (Fox News)

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In attendance at the event were members of President Trump’s Cabinet, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Energy Secretary Doug Burgum and numerous members of the GOP’s Iowa congressional delegation. 

Lee Greenwood, known for his song, “God Bless the USA,” which is frequently played by the president at rallies, performed for the president as he walked out, and there will be fireworks after Trump’s address.