President Donald Trump on Saturday night delivered an address for America’s 250th birthday on a day roiled by severe weather — from triple-digit temperatures to pouring rain.
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The president’s “Salute to America” program on the National Mall was derailed after thousands of attendees were forced to temporarily evacuate because of a severe thunderstorm in the Washington, D.C., area.
Trump took the stage roughly four hours after orders to shelter, thanking those who “did the right thing” by staying for his remarks.
His speech touted America’s “golden age,” reflected on the nation’s founding and honored military heroes before veering into political issues like the SAVE America Act. He also decried communism as a “cancer” that stands “opposite of the American system.”
Capping the festivities was a nearly 40-minute firework display that lit up the sky even while it was drizzling.
More America at 250 news:
- Feeling the heat: A weeklong heat wave that officials believe has killed at least 25 people continued through the July Fourth weekend.
- Shootings across the U.S.: Fourth of July celebrations across the country were marred by violence that left at least five people dead across multiple cities.
- Rocket’s red glare: A Delta flight was struck by a firework while descending into Chicago on July Fourth, according to the airline.
- From Rome to home: Pope Leo XIV marked the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence with a call for Americans to protect immigrants.
- ‘Another paper’: A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence lost for 250 years was discovered in London, where it is the only known example of its kind outside the U.S.
U.S. star Folarin Balogun eligible to play vs. Belgium after FIFA suspends red card ban
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Balogun speaks out on controversial red card
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United States striker Folarin Balogun has been reinstated for the team’s round-of-16 match against Belgium on Monday after earning a red card in the previous round, FIFA announced Sunday.
The card came after replay review showed him inadvertently stepping on the back of the leg of Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Tarik Muharemović during the Americans’ 2-0 win.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Trump called FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Wednesday and asked him to review Balogun’s suspension. FIFA has not said whether the call played any role in the decision.
FIFA did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
Belgium’s soccer federation blasted the ruling, saying it was “astonished” by FIFA’s decision and arguing that it contradicts both FIFA’s disciplinary code and the tournament’s competition regulations, which state that a red card “automatically results in a suspension for the team’s next match.”
More World Cup
- Azteca warriors: As Mexico gets set to face England, it hopes to lean into altitude and its home fortress, the Estadio Azteca, where El Tri has suffered just two defeats — the latter of which came in September 2013.
- Woe Canada: Azzedine Ounahi scored twice and Soufiane Rahimi added a third as Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals, eliminating the co-hosts with a 3-0 win.
- History repeats? After a 1-0 win over Paraguay in the round of 16, France looks poised to become the first team to make three straight World Cup finals since Brazil from 1994 to 2002.
- Ground stop: The FBI says it has seized more than 600 drones near World Cup sites since the tournament began on June 11.
Mallory McMorrow ends bid for Democratic Senate nomination in Michigan
Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow has suspended her campaign for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, setting up a high-stakes, two-way clash between the party’s center and its progressive left flank.
McMorrow did not endorse either of the remaining candidates, Rep. Haley Stevens and former public health official Abdul El-Sayed. The winner of the Aug. 4 primary will face former Rep. Mike Rogers, who is backed by President Donald Trump and unopposed for the Republican nomination.
Stevens has run a campaign tethered tightly to the Democratic establishment, with support from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and other party mainstays in Michigan, including former Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Conversely, El-Sayed, an unsuccessful candidate for governor in 2018, has aligned himself further left, boasting endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.
McMorrow attempted to split the difference between the two but had trouble maintaining traction. Her statement Sunday did not offer an explicit reason for her decision to exit the race.
Serena Williams withdraws from Wimbledon doubles competition with knee injury
Serena Williams withdrew from the Wimbledon doubles competition after injuring her knee earlier this week.
The injury occurred Tuesday during her first-round singles match. At the time, her agent said Williams still intended to compete in doubles alongside her sister Venus Williams.
Williams, 44, announced her withdrawal in an Instagram post that included photos and videos of the injury.
“I’m heartbroken to have to withdraw from doubles. Coming back to compete again has been a gift, and the opportunity to play alongside @venuswilliams once more meant the world to me,” she wrote. “I did everything I could to be ready, but unfortunately my knee just isn’t ready to compete.”
Notable quote
You would think the bride would be the one crying more, but it was actually Travis that was more emotional.
A guest who attended Taylor Swift’s wedding to Travis Kelce
Pop star Taylor Swift and football player Travis Kelce tied the knot Friday in front of a thousand VIPs at Madison Square Garden. Details have been scant, but two guests spilled the beans about the nuptials in New York.
In case you missed it
- St. Petersburg and the surrounding region came under a large Ukrainian drone attack, with a local port and oil infrastructure struck, authorities said.
- MLB announced the starters for this year’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
- China’s military promoted two new generals after an anti-corruption purge thinned the country’s ranks.
- Beyoncé released a surprise new single, “Morning Dew (Donk),” her first new music since the Grammy-winning album “Act II: Cowboy Carter” dropped in 2024.
- Paul Pelosi, Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s husband, is facing potential hit-and-run charges in Napa County, California.