In pictures: People brave the heat to visit Great American State Fair
People braved the heat to visit the Great American State Fair on Friday before it was shut down due to the unbearable weather (Getty Images)
Guests leave the state fair after it was postponed until 5 p.m. ET (Getty Images)
A person records the temperature at the state fair (Getty Images)
Rachel Dobkin4 July 2026 05:45
Trump loses again after appeals court orders ICE to hold bond hearings for deportees
A panel of judges on a notorious conservative federal appeals court has ruled that people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention must be granted a bond hearing before a judge within 90 days of their arrest.
The ruling marks at least the fourth such federal court order striking down a chief component of the administration’s attempts to swiftly detain and deport tens of thousands of people from the country before they’ve had their day in court, which civil rights groups and immigration lawyers have called stark violations of due process rights.
Alex Woodward4 July 2026 05:00
Trump ends his Mount Rushmore speech
Trump has now concluded his speech from Mount Rushmore.
“After 250 years American freedom still rings. The American dream still lives and the American still flies more proudly than ever before,” Trump said. “Over the people who have not quit. The nation that will not fail. The country that will not fall. No matter how hard the enemy tries we can not be beaten.”
Alex Lang4 July 2026 04:40
Trump hit a recent familiar refrain as he blasted communists, who he says include illegal migrants and people who don’t want to work.
“America will never be a communist country,” Trump said. “We can only lose the midterm if we allow ourselves to the midterms.”
The president’s speech started off by highlighting America, but he is now speaking on several of his common topics in recent weeks. He blasted communists – something he has said since progressives won several recent primary elections. He also spoke of passing his voting -rights act.
“On the eve of this 250th anniversary of American history, we resolve and swear for all to hear to vanquish communism quickly,” Trump said.
Alex Lang4 July 2026 04:31
See Donald Trump speaking from Mount Rushmore
President Donald Trump speaks from Mount Rushmore on Friday night (AFP/Getty)
‘At 250 years, America is the oldest Republic on Earth. We are the freest people on Earth,’ Trump said. ‘We are the strongest and most powerful country on Earth.’ (Reuters)
A crowd gathered at the landmark to hear from the president (Reuters)
Alex Lang4 July 2026 04:13
Trump now speaking from Mount Rushmore
President Donald Trump is now speaking from Mount Rushmore as he kicks off a day of July 4 celebrations across America.
“This is a big crowd, this is a lovely crowd, and what a sight it is,” Trump said.
Trump noted that on Saturday the country would celebrate 250 years of independence.
“At 250 years, America is the oldest Republic on Earth. We are the freest people on Earth,” Trump said. “We are the strongest and most powerful country on Earth.”
Alex Lang4 July 2026 04:08
Watch: Bernie Sanders warns US is on the brink of a ‘political revolution’ ahead of July FourthBernie Sanders warns US is on the brink of a ‘political revolution’ ahead of July Fourth
Rachel Dobkin4 July 2026 04:00
Trump’s speech will boast about ‘most exceptional nation in history’: report
Donald Trump is set to give a speech at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota Friday night, where he will boast about the “most exceptional nation in history,” a spokesperson for the president told NBC News.
“President Trump will deliver a major address making clear what the world already knows: the United States is the greatest, strongest, and most exceptional nation in history,” the spokesperson said.
Rachel Dobkin4 July 2026 03:00
Watch: Trump flies over Mount Rushmore in Air Force One
Rachel Dobkin4 July 2026 02:50
Air Force One flies over Mount Rushmore
Air Force One flies over Mount Rushmore on Friday ahead of President Donald Trump’s speech (AP)
Rachel Dobkin4 July 2026 02:41