NPR News: 07-04-2026 6AM EDT

Steve Kestenbaum0:00

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Windsor Johnston· Host0:15

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. President Trump kicked off the nation's two hundred fiftieth birthday celebration with a speech at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota last night. NPR's Elena Moore reports Trump called on Americans to embrace the country's founding ideals as Independence Day events get underway across the nation.

Elena Moore0:39

In his speech, Trump focused on both American exceptionalism and the midterms. He alluded to a string of recent primary wins by progressive and Democratic socialist candidates running for Congress, arguing, quote, unquote, "Communism jeopardizes his vision for America."

Speaker 40:54

Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty. It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor, or even nine eleven. Uh, we're not gonna let this happen to us.

Elena Moore1:10

Trump's speech kicks off a weekend of July Fourth celebrations, and the president is expected to deliver a speech tonight on the National Mall. Elena Moore, NPR News.

Windsor Johnston· Host1:20

Many parts of the central and eastern US are still in the grips of a dangerous heat wave as the nation celebrates the Fourth of July. Heat index values between