US 250th birthday plans draw scrutiny over Trump-linked events
Two government-backed groups are organizing the semiquincentennial, with funding and oversight questions surrounding White House-led Freedom 250.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
4 min read
The United States is beginning a broad celebration of 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, with events ranging from a White House lawn UFC card to state fairs and museum trucks, Al Jazeera reported. The anniversary has drawn attention because two government-backed nonprofits are sharing the work, the money and a growing fight over oversight and political influence.
The milestone, known as the semiquincentennial, marks the July 4, 1776, signing of the Declaration of Independence. Al Jazeera reported that the US has staged major anniversary events roughly every 50 years, including world’s fairs in Philadelphia in 1876 and 1926 and a yearlong bicentennial program in 1976.
Two groups, one anniversary
America250 was created by Congress in 2016 to help plan the 250th anniversary, Al Jazeera reported. It is a bipartisan organization led by private citizens.
Freedom 250 is tied to the White House Task Force 250, which President Donald Trump established in 2025 to plan and carry out anniversary events, according to Al Jazeera. Trump chairs that task force, and Freedom 250 operates as a public-private partnership through the National Park Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Park Service.
The two organizations have different roles, according to Al Jazeera. Freedom 250 is focused on large national events, while America250 has emphasized local participation, charitable giving and community celebrations.
What is planned
Al Jazeera reported that the calendar includes UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn on June 14, the Great American State Fair on the National Mall from June 25 to July 10, and the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, an IndyCar race around Washington monuments, from August 22 to 23.
Other planned events include a World Cup Fan Zone in Washington from June 11 to July 16, a July 3 fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, and concerts and exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, Boston and other cities, according to Al Jazeera. Mobile museums called Freedom Trucks are also scheduled to travel across the country.
UFC event draws scrutiny
The UFC event has become one of the most controversial parts of the program, Al Jazeera reported. It is scheduled for Flag Day, which also marks Trump’s 80th birthday, and is being staged by UFC CEO Dana White, a prominent Trump donor.
White has said the fight card is meant “to tell the story of America,” according to Al Jazeera. The event is set to include title fights between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje and between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane, along with undercard bouts.
A Freedom 250 spokesperson told Al Jazeera that the White House task force-linked group “has not been responsible for the operations, logistics or funding of the UFC White House event.” That distinction has become part of the debate because Trump holds stock in UFC’s parent company, Al Jazeera reported.
A federal judge rejected an emergency request to block the fight on the grounds that Trump was using government property to promote private business interests, according to Al Jazeera. White told ESPN that UFC was paying for the event.
Money and oversight questions
Neither America250 nor Freedom 250 is required to disclose private donors, Al Jazeera reported. America250’s parent commission must file an annual report to Congress on funding and spending, while Freedom 250 lists some sponsors and partners online but is not subject to the same independent oversight, according to Al Jazeera.
The New York Times reported in February that Freedom 250 offered access to a Trump-hosted reception in exchange for large donations. USA Today reported that America250 also offered packages that included invitations to events attended by government officials.
Congress appropriated $150 million to the Department of the Interior for the anniversary, without specifying how the money should be divided, Al Jazeera reported. The Interior Department sent $100 million to Freedom 250 through the National Park Foundation and $50 million to America250, raising concerns among critics that Trump was directing public funds away from the congressionally created group.
The Great American State Fair has also faced pushback, according to Al Jazeera. Several artists withdrew after the music lineup was announced, and Connecticut, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington state declined to participate; an Oregon spokesperson said the fair was becoming “a more partisan affair than originally presented.”
Freedom 250 has said all 50 states will still be represented on the National Mall, Al Jazeera reported. Trump has canceled the concert and replaced it with what is billed as a “Rally to end all Rallies,” with appearances by Lee Greenwood, Christopher Macchio and several military bands, according to Al Jazeera.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.