President Donald Trump is now thanking God that he missed the last four years in office – so he’s able to be president during the U.S.’s 250th birthday festivities.
Trump was delivering his Memorial Day remarks at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday when he brought up the ‘big, big celebration’ to mark the country’s 250 years.
It starts next month on the president’s birthday with a parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary, but the pinnacle of the celebration will take place on July 4th of next year.
‘In some ways I’m glad I missed that second term where it was,’ Trump said to laughs. ‘Because I wouldn’t be your president for that most important of all.’
He also noted how the World Cup was coming to North America, including the United States, in the next few months and the 2028 summer Olympics would be held in Los Angeles.
‘Can you imagine? I missed that four years and now look what I have. I have everything,’ Trump said. ‘Amazing the way things work out,’ the president added. ‘God did that, I believe that too.’
Trump had segued to talk about the upcoming events taking place in the country from what was otherwise a subdued and somber speech about servicemembers giving the greatest sacrifice.
But the president couldn’t help himself – briefly slapping around former President Joe Biden during his remarks too.
President Donald Trump delivered Memorial Day remarks mid-morning Monday at Arlington National Cemetery but segued from his prepared speech to talk about the U.S.’s upcoming 250th birthday festivities
President Donald Trump (left), Vice President J.D. Vance (center left), Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (center right) and MG Trevor Bredenkamp, Commanding General of the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (right) stand at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Monday
‘Those young men could never have known what their sacrifice would mean to us, but we certainly know what we owe to them,’ Trump said. ‘Their valor gave us the freest, greatest and most noble republic ever to exist on the face of earth – a republic that I am fixing after a long and hard four years.’
‘That was a hard four years we went through,’ the president ad-libbed. ‘Who would let that happen?’
‘People pouring through our borders unchecked, people doing things that are undescribable and not for today to discuss,’ the continued.
He added that the republic is ‘now doing so very well.’
‘We’re doing so very well right now, considering the circumstances, and we’ll do record-setting better with time, we will do better than we’ve ever done as a nation, better than ever before, I promise you that,’ Trump said.
He was cheered by the crowd.
Trump then turned back to the teleprompter to continue reading his speech.
During his remarks, Trump called attention to family members from several fallen servicemembers seated in the crowd.
President Donald Trump (left) gives a fist bump alongside Vice President J.D. Vance (right) at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday
President Donald Trump bows his head in prayer at the Memorial Day ceremony Monday at Arlington National Cemetery
President Donald Trump (right) salutes alongside Vice President J.D. Vance (center) and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (center left) at Monday’s Memorial Day ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (left) and his wife Jennifer Rauchet (right) talk before Monday’s Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery
The two young boys of Senior Chief Shannon Kent, who was killed by an ISIS terrorist in Syria in 2019, were on hand – Colt and Josh, ages 9 and 7.
‘Let me just say your mom was a hero,’ Trump told them. ‘And her love, her strength and her spirit are always with us and will always be with you. She loved her boys.’
‘Please stand up wherever you may be – the boys, I want to see those boys. Where are you?’ the president asked. ‘Hey, good looking guys. Thank you very much for being here. All of you, thank you so much.’
Trump participated in the Arlington Cemetery ceremony alongside Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who the president called a ‘tough cookie’ for surviving his Senate confirmation fight.
They first placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and then addressed the crowd.
The president is expected to head to his Sterling, Virginia golf club to spend the rest of the Memorial Day holiday.
