On the eve of America’s 250th birthday, beneath the carved faces of Mount Rushmore, the President of the United States delivered what was previewed as an inspiring, optimistic address answering the question “What does it mean to be an American?” Instead, he delivered the 2026 version of the Red Scare. He declared that the Democratic Party is made up of communists, promised to send them “into exile,” and outlined a plan he said would ensure Republicans “will not lose an election for a hundred years.” He called communism “the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor, or even 9/11.” The President of the United States told the country that Americans who vote differently than he does are a greater threat than the attack that killed nearly 3,000 people.
The speech was built like every authoritarian movement before it. It began not with punishment but with belonging, defining who counts as a “real” American. He praised the “new breed of citizen,” language pulled straight from eugenics, and failed to acknowledge every woman who built this country. Then, once he defined who belongs, he named the enemy: “You can be a communist or you can be a patriot. You cannot be both.” A loyalty test, delivered on the birthday of a nation founded on the right to dissent. This is McCarthyism resurrected in real time, and it was the public launch of a strategy far-right voices have been building toward.
But here is what he does not understand about this country. Hours earlier, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a naturalized citizen born in Uganda, sat behind George Washington’s actual desk, surrounded by newly naturalized Americans holding flags, and without naming Trump once, showed what a real patriotic speech looked like. “It is precisely because we love this nation that we will not leave it.” Trump sees America as a bloodline to be owned and ruled. The real America has always been an idea, shared and passed on by every generation willing to build it. In 1852, Frederick Douglass called out this nation’s hypocrisy and then called the Constitution a “glorious liberty document,” because he loved America enough to tell the truth about it. That is real patriotism. Not erasing people from history. Not threatening exile against those who disagree. We will not let those hungry for power convince us to hate one another.
See the full story in the video.
We are living through a pivotal moment for our country, and my goal is to reach as many people as possible with clear, factual information about what is happening. The more people who understand what is unfolding, the better our chances of pushing back against chaos, cruelty, and corruption ahead of the midterms.
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Heather
This video is based on my written post, available HERE, and based on the events of 7-3-2026.
*This commentary represents my personal opinions and analysis of matters of public concern, informed by publicly available information. Any references to individuals constitute opinion and commentary protected under the First Amendment.
Sources:
President Trump Delivers Remarks at Mount Rushmore, Jul. 3, 2026: YouTube Video
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5953239-trump-at-mount-rushmore-warns-of-communist-enemy-in-optimistic-speech-celebrating-americas-birthday/
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/live-blog/america-250-celebration-trump-speech-mt-rushmore-live-updates-rcna352190
https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-heads-mount-rushmore-kick-off-america-250/story?id=134443201
https://www.axios.com/2026/06/30/trump-communism-red-scare-reboot-midterms
https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2026/07/03/no-protesters-appear-for-trumps-mount-rushmore-fireworks-six-years-after-clash-resulted-in-arrests/
https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/indigenous/article_6a4e1ded-20a9-4875-b95a-2ba253257c7a.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/mamdani-offers-contrast-trumps-vision-america-250th-anniversary-addres-rcna352868
https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/07/remarks-as-prepared--mayor-mamdani-delivers-address-marking-amer
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-mayor-zohran-mamdani-america-250-speech-city-hall/
