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President Donald Trump coming to Iowa to kick off nation’s 250th anniversary celebration
Trump previously pitched a ‘Great American State Fair’ celebrating all 50 U.S. states to be hosted at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in 2026
Jun. 23, 2025 2:14 pm, Updated: Jun. 23, 2025 9:14 pm
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DES MOINES — President Donald Trump is returning to Iowa next week to speak at an event that is a part of the national celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Trump will speak at the Iowa State Fairgrounds next Thursday, July 3, at an event hosted by the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
The Iowa event is scheduled to be held one year plus one day before the 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence, which will be marked on July 4, 2026.
The Trump campaign sent an email to supporters on Friday, and the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, which also goes by America250, announced the Iowa event on Monday.
The July 3 event will feature remarks by Trump and will offer “patriotism, excitement, inspiration, and a glimpse into the grand festivities planned for America’s 250th anniversary,” according to an America250 press release.
“America250 is proud to host this historic kickoff event in Iowa, in keeping with President Trump’s commitment to provide a grand celebration worthy of the momentous occasion of America’s 250th birthday,” America250 ambassador and principal media representative Monica Crowley said in the press release. “This special event serves as the magnificent start of a dynamic, yearlong commemoration across our beautiful country, unveiling a vision for a renewed commitment to America’s future.”
The Trump campaign email billed the event as “the kickoff celebration of America’s 250th birthday.”
The event will begin at 5 p.m. and Trump will deliver remarks at 7:30 p.m., according to America250. The event will take place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds; a specific site at the Fairgrounds was not announced.
Those interested in attending the event can register at the America250 website, america250.org.
It will be Trump’s first trip to Iowa since he returned to the White House in January for his second, non-consecutive term as president.
‘Great American State Fair’?
In 2023, then-candidate Trump announced his plan for a Great American State Fair to be hosted at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in 2026 as part of the 250th anniversary celebration.
In a video statement published on May 31, 2023, Trump said he planned to work with all 50 U.S. governors to create the Great American State Fair, which he said would feature pavilions from all 50 states.
“It’ll be something. The Great American State Fair will showcase the glory of every state in the union, promote pride in our history and put forth innovative visions for America’s future,” Trump said in the video.
“My hope is that the amazing people of Iowa will work with my administration to open up the legendary Iowa State Fairgrounds to host the Great American State Fair and welcome millions and millions of visitors from around the world to the Heartland of America for this special, one-time Festival,” Trump said. “Together we will build it and they will come.”
Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons told The Gazette on Monday that the Fair has not received any official requests or inquiries for the Great American State Fair.
“Although we are biased and believe the Iowa State Fair is the best, we have received no official requests or inquiries for the Great American Fair,” Parsons said in an emailed statement to The Gazette. “The Iowa State Fair has a long history of welcoming Fairgoers from around the world, including elected officials, presidential candidates, and Presidents of the United States.”
A spokesman for Reynolds’ office said Monday that Reynolds looks forward to hosting Trump for the July 3 event and that “there will be more details to come.”
Trump and the Iowa State Fairgrounds
Trump previously visited the Iowa State Fair in 2023 and 2015, both during presidential caucus cycles.
He also hosted or spoke at events at the Iowa State Fairgrounds — outside of the State Fair — in October of 2021, August of 2016 and December of 2015. The 2016 event was Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst’s “Roast and Ride” fundraiser.
Comments: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com
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