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Trump Takes Center Stage for America’s 250th Anniversary","description":"After performers withdrew from the national concert series, former President Donald Trump declared himself the headlining act of the Great American State Fair, underscoring his intent to dominate the country’s 250th celebration and hinting at his approach to the forthcoming World Cup.","summary":"The article reports that Trump assumed the headline role of the Great American State Fair following the cancellation of the intended concert series. It examines how the president's penchant for hosting events extends from private rallies to presidential initiatives, and how his style may shape America's bid to host the 2026 World Cup.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/fc72892/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4535x3023+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=​https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F69%2F19%2F180862c0fcd10a7899071cf8bb32%2F5237373024674d20888ae9afa79553a0","text":"<div style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.6;color:#000;max-width:800px;margin:auto;padding:20px;\">\n<p>WASHINGTON (AP) &#8211; When nearly all the scheduled musical performers pulled out of a concert series marking America’s 250th anniversary—fearing the event had become too closely tied to President Donald Trump—he responded by making it official.</p>\n<p>Trump announced he’d now be the headlining act of the Great American State Fair.</p>\n<p>That put to rest any possible scenario where a president who has built his personal and political persona on seizing the spotlight might cede the stage to avoid shadowing a national celebration bigger than himself. It also offered a peek into how the president is likely to approach hosting the upcoming World Cup.</p>\n<p>From his reality shows before becoming a politician, to hours spent entertaining at events, to proudly showing off his various properties and efforts to overhaul the White House, the president revels hosting. Last year he even joked about leaving the presidency to do it full time on TV.</p>\n<p>The president has an outsized personality. There’s a predictability to the way in which the president frames his actions—any actions around any event associated with him—and that’s just part of who he is.</p>\n<p>Exhibit A is the fair, which begins June 25 and was supposed to feature concerts but will now be kicked off by a Trump rally. That will follow a UFC bout at the White House on June 14. Trump is a longtime cage match fan and the event marks his 80th birthday, but the president has sought to bill it as part of the anniversary festivities.</p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top:40px;font-size:1.2em;\">Past presidents hosted their own spectacular celebrations</h2>\n<p>Andrew Jackson opened the White House for an 1829 Inauguration Day bash that was so unruly that staff eventually dispersed the crowd by moving tubs of whiskey and ice cream to the lawn. Franklin D. Roosevelt mixed pre‑dinner cocktails for friends and aides at White House gatherings he playfully dubbed “The Children’s Hour.” Audrey Hepburn was among the luminaries Ronald Reagan hosted at the White House.</p>\n<p>Trump frequently held first‑term dinners with business leaders but has more fully embraced the role since returning to the White House. He built a patio area similar to one at his Mar‑a‑Lago estate and travels often to Florida and his properties in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Sterling, Virginia to headline fundraisers and swanky gatherings.</p>\n<p>Asked if Trump might oversell events meant to unite the country, White House spokesman Davis Ingle cited the president’s efforts to lead extensive renovations at the White House and around Washington. He said the “historic beautification” gives the city “the glory it deserves during our nation’s historic semiquincentennial celebration.”</p>\n<p>Still, Trump has found unprecedented ways to inject himself into the anniversary.</p>\n<p>The State Department issues passports with the president’s picture and officials have designed a new $250 bill with his likeness. The Trump Organization, now run by the president’s children, applied to trademark “Trump 250” logos and other merchandise. The U.S. Mint is producing a 24‑karat gold commemorative coin with Trump’s face.</p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top:40px;font-size:1.2em;\">Duelling anniversary planners and revisionist history</h2>\n<p>Congress charged a national organization, America250, with planning commemorative events. Ahead of the 2024 election, the group drafted a memo asking the incoming president to mobilize federal agencies and welcome presidential involvement in initiatives. The group’s chair said they had a supportive relationship with the president’s planners, but the organization is separate from Freedom 250, a mix of public and private partners the Trump administration set up to fund and prepare anniversary events—creating confusion.</p>\n<p>America250 aims to inspire Americans to reflect on the past, strengthen love of country, and renew commitment to democracy. The push to coordinate local events is counter to the executive order Trump signed last year to “Restore truth and sanity to American history.” Naftali said the president’s brand of history is closer to propaganda and cheerleading.</p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top:40px;font-size:1.2em;\">World Cup: another platform for Trump to host</h2>\n<p>Trump also set up a federal World Cup task force and leads it. He collected a peace prize from the governing body FIFA and said he’d be on stage to present the tournament’s golden trophy to the winning team. He oversaw the tournament’s draw at the Kennedy Center and sought to rename for his benefit, sparking legal challenges.</p>\n<p>After headline the Kennedy Center Honors in December, Trump posted on social media, “Would you like me to leave the presidency in order to make “hosting” a full‑time job?” Naftali noted, “It’s undiluted Donald Trump.”</p>\n</div>
AP

Trump Takes Center Stage for America’s 250th Anniversary","description":"After performers withdrew from the national concert series, former President Donald Trump declared himself the headlining act of the Great American State Fair, underscoring his intent to dominate the country’s 250th celebration and hinting at his approach to the forthcoming World Cup.","summary":"The article reports that Trump assumed the headline role of the Great American State Fair following the cancellation of the intended concert series. It examines how the president's penchant for hosting events extends from private rallies to presidential initiatives, and how his style may shape America's bid to host the 2026 World Cup.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/fc72892/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4535x3023+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=​https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F69%2F19%2F180862c0fcd10a7899071cf8bb32%2F5237373024674d20888ae9afa79553a0","text":"<div style=\"font-family:Arial,sans-serif;line-height:1.6;color:#000;max-width:800px;margin:auto;padding:20px;\">\n<p>WASHINGTON (AP) &#8211; When nearly all the scheduled musical performers pulled out of a concert series marking America’s 250th anniversary—fearing the event had become too closely tied to President Donald Trump—he responded by making it official.</p>\n<p>Trump announced he’d now be the headlining act of the Great American State Fair.</p>\n<p>That put to rest any possible scenario where a president who has built his personal and political persona on seizing the spotlight might cede the stage to avoid shadowing a national celebration bigger than himself. It also offered a peek into how the president is likely to approach hosting the upcoming World Cup.</p>\n<p>From his reality shows before becoming a politician, to hours spent entertaining at events, to proudly showing off his various properties and efforts to overhaul the White House, the president revels hosting. Last year he even joked about leaving the presidency to do it full time on TV.</p>\n<p>The president has an outsized personality. There’s a predictability to the way in which the president frames his actions—any actions around any event associated with him—and that’s just part of who he is.</p>\n<p>Exhibit A is the fair, which begins June 25 and was supposed to feature concerts but will now be kicked off by a Trump rally. That will follow a UFC bout at the White House on June 14. Trump is a longtime cage match fan and the event marks his 80th birthday, but the president has sought to bill it as part of the anniversary festivities.</p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top:40px;font-size:1.2em;\">Past presidents hosted their own spectacular celebrations</h2>\n<p>Andrew Jackson opened the White House for an 1829 Inauguration Day bash that was so unruly that staff eventually dispersed the crowd by moving tubs of whiskey and ice cream to the lawn. Franklin D. Roosevelt mixed pre‑dinner cocktails for friends and aides at White House gatherings he playfully dubbed “The Children’s Hour.” Audrey Hepburn was among the luminaries Ronald Reagan hosted at the White House.</p>\n<p>Trump frequently held first‑term dinners with business leaders but has more fully embraced the role since returning to the White House. He built a patio area similar to one at his Mar‑a‑Lago estate and travels often to Florida and his properties in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Sterling, Virginia to headline fundraisers and swanky gatherings.</p>\n<p>Asked if Trump might oversell events meant to unite the country, White House spokesman Davis Ingle cited the president’s efforts to lead extensive renovations at the White House and around Washington. He said the “historic beautification” gives the city “the glory it deserves during our nation’s historic semiquincentennial celebration.”</p>\n<p>Still, Trump has found unprecedented ways to inject himself into the anniversary.</p>\n<p>The State Department issues passports with the president’s picture and officials have designed a new $250 bill with his likeness. The Trump Organization, now run by the president’s children, applied to trademark “Trump 250” logos and other merchandise. The U.S. Mint is producing a 24‑karat gold commemorative coin with Trump’s face.</p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top:40px;font-size:1.2em;\">Duelling anniversary planners and revisionist history</h2>\n<p>Congress charged a national organization, America250, with planning commemorative events. Ahead of the 2024 election, the group drafted a memo asking the incoming president to mobilize federal agencies and welcome presidential involvement in initiatives. The group’s chair said they had a supportive relationship with the president’s planners, but the organization is separate from Freedom 250, a mix of public and private partners the Trump administration set up to fund and prepare anniversary events—creating confusion.</p>\n<p>America250 aims to inspire Americans to reflect on the past, strengthen love of country, and renew commitment to democracy. The push to coordinate local events is counter to the executive order Trump signed last year to “Restore truth and sanity to American history.” Naftali said the president’s brand of history is closer to propaganda and cheerleading.</p>\n<h2 style=\"margin-top:40px;font-size:1.2em;\">World Cup: another platform for Trump to host</h2>\n<p>Trump also set up a federal World Cup task force and leads it. He collected a peace prize from the governing body FIFA and said he’d be on stage to present the tournament’s golden trophy to the winning team. He oversaw the tournament’s draw at the Kennedy Center and sought to rename for his benefit, sparking legal challenges.</p>\n<p>After headline the Kennedy Center Honors in December, Trump posted on social media, “Would you like me to leave the presidency in order to make “hosting” a full‑time job?” Naftali noted, “It’s undiluted Donald Trump.”</p>\n</div>

Muhammad Ali’s Legacy Celebrated on 10‑Year Anniversary of His Death","description":"Lonnie Ali reflects on his compassion and the Day of Compassion event honoring the iconic boxer at The Muhammad Ali Center.","summary":"On the anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville hosts a Day of Compassion to honor his lifelong commitment to service. Lonnie Ali, his wife and director of the center, spoke about Ali’s compassion, advocacy for civil rights, and the need for unity in a divided nation. The event highlights his lasting influence and invites community members to continue his philanthropic spirit.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/7206977/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x2688+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3a%2F03%2F98441901e1582c782dec5079bc1d%2F66cd961b5cdf430983fceed947896c6b","text":"<h2 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1.8em; line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:0.7em;\">Muhammad Ali's Legacy Celebrated on 10-Year Anniversary of His Death</h2><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, is marking the decade that has passed since the boxing legend died on June 3, 2016. Longtime director and wife of Ali, Lonnie Ali, appeared in the center’s main hall to pay tribute to a man whose influence stretched far beyond the ring.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">“He transcended boxing into every space you can imagine,” Ali recalled, “Muhammad lived by this mantra: service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.” She emphasized how Ali’s compassion and empathy were integral to his identity and how the community could learn from him.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Ali, born in Louisville and dubbed the “Louisville Lip,” first became a public figure in the 1960s as a trash‑talking heavyweight champion, and soon turned his platform toward civil‑rights activism. His legacy is now celebrated not only for his three heavyweight titles and Olympic gold, but also for his lifelong work in service, education and community empowerment.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">The center’s “Day of Compassion” is slated for Wednesday, the anniversary of Ali’s death, as a way to promote acts of service and care. Lonnie Ali said the hope is to grow the event into an annual celebration that encourages acts of volunteerism and community support.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">“Today we are in a place where we are losing touch with humanity,” she noted. “It’s causing rifts, not just in families and communities, but in this nation. We’re becoming increasingly polarized and separated.” She urged leaders to act with compassion, pointing to recent Supreme Court decisions weakening voting rights and the need for equal representation.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Lonnie Ali reminded her audience that Ali's message was about uplifting communities, not making their lives harder. She challenged political leaders to imagine how they could support and empower every citizen, especially in an era where voting rights are under attack.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Walking through the halls of the Muhammad Ali Center, visitors witnessed displays of Ali’s life, including exhibits on his boxing triumphs and his activism for civil‑rights. The center closed the week with a grand funeral procession that reversed the city’s streets, echoing the ceremony held in 2016 when Ali’s body was taken across Louisville to his hometown home near downtown.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Former President Bill Clinton, actor Billy Crystal, and Will Smith—who portrayed Ali in a 2001 biopic—were among the dignitaries who spoke at the 2016 service. The event was livestreamed to millions worldwide, showcasing the global mourning for the icon.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Ten years later, Ali’s face graced a U.S. Postal Service stamp, a testament to his enduring influence and the way his memory continues to inspire new generations.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">As the center gathered to honor Ali, Lonnie Ali highlighted the breadth of his reach: “We’re talking about people who traveled thousands of miles to come here, who had never met the man, never laid eyes on him personally, but wanted to... give their last respects to him: kings, princes, presidents, heads of state, celebrities, sports figures.” Her words underscored the universal appeal of Ali’s empathy and his call for unity in a fractured world.</p>
AP

Muhammad Ali’s Legacy Celebrated on 10‑Year Anniversary of His Death","description":"Lonnie Ali reflects on his compassion and the Day of Compassion event honoring the iconic boxer at The Muhammad Ali Center.","summary":"On the anniversary of Muhammad Ali’s passing, the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville hosts a Day of Compassion to honor his lifelong commitment to service. Lonnie Ali, his wife and director of the center, spoke about Ali’s compassion, advocacy for civil rights, and the need for unity in a divided nation. The event highlights his lasting influence and invites community members to continue his philanthropic spirit.","image":"https://dims.apnews.com/dims4/default/7206977/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4032x2688+0+0/resize/599x399!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.apnews.com%2F3a%2F03%2F98441901e1582c782dec5079bc1d%2F66cd961b5cdf430983fceed947896c6b","text":"<h2 style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1.8em; line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:0.7em;\">Muhammad Ali's Legacy Celebrated on 10-Year Anniversary of His Death</h2><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">The Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky, is marking the decade that has passed since the boxing legend died on June 3, 2016. Longtime director and wife of Ali, Lonnie Ali, appeared in the center’s main hall to pay tribute to a man whose influence stretched far beyond the ring.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">“He transcended boxing into every space you can imagine,” Ali recalled, “Muhammad lived by this mantra: service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth.” She emphasized how Ali’s compassion and empathy were integral to his identity and how the community could learn from him.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Ali, born in Louisville and dubbed the “Louisville Lip,” first became a public figure in the 1960s as a trash‑talking heavyweight champion, and soon turned his platform toward civil‑rights activism. His legacy is now celebrated not only for his three heavyweight titles and Olympic gold, but also for his lifelong work in service, education and community empowerment.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">The center’s “Day of Compassion” is slated for Wednesday, the anniversary of Ali’s death, as a way to promote acts of service and care. Lonnie Ali said the hope is to grow the event into an annual celebration that encourages acts of volunteerism and community support.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">“Today we are in a place where we are losing touch with humanity,” she noted. “It’s causing rifts, not just in families and communities, but in this nation. We’re becoming increasingly polarized and separated.” She urged leaders to act with compassion, pointing to recent Supreme Court decisions weakening voting rights and the need for equal representation.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Lonnie Ali reminded her audience that Ali's message was about uplifting communities, not making their lives harder. She challenged political leaders to imagine how they could support and empower every citizen, especially in an era where voting rights are under attack.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Walking through the halls of the Muhammad Ali Center, visitors witnessed displays of Ali’s life, including exhibits on his boxing triumphs and his activism for civil‑rights. The center closed the week with a grand funeral procession that reversed the city’s streets, echoing the ceremony held in 2016 when Ali’s body was taken across Louisville to his hometown home near downtown.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Former President Bill Clinton, actor Billy Crystal, and Will Smith—who portrayed Ali in a 2001 biopic—were among the dignitaries who spoke at the 2016 service. The event was livestreamed to millions worldwide, showcasing the global mourning for the icon.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">Ten years later, Ali’s face graced a U.S. Postal Service stamp, a testament to his enduring influence and the way his memory continues to inspire new generations.</p><p style=\"font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:1em; line-height:1.5; margin-bottom:1em;\">As the center gathered to honor Ali, Lonnie Ali highlighted the breadth of his reach: “We’re talking about people who traveled thousands of miles to come here, who had never met the man, never laid eyes on him personally, but wanted to... give their last respects to him: kings, princes, presidents, heads of state, celebrities, sports figures.” Her words underscored the universal appeal of Ali’s empathy and his call for unity in a fractured world.</p>

Trump Takes Center Stage in America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations
bbc.co.uk

Trump Takes Center Stage in America’s 250th Birthday Celebrations

Chicago Reaches Astronomical Heights for Obama's Presidential Center
AP

Chicago Reaches Astronomical Heights for Obama's Presidential Center

Jill Biden Reveals She Thought Her Husband Had a Stroke During 2024 Debate
bbc.co.uk

Jill Biden Reveals She Thought Her Husband Had a Stroke During 2024 Debate

EU Looks for a Russian Whisperer – Could a New Envoy End Ukraine’s War?
bbc.co.uk

EU Looks for a Russian Whisperer – Could a New Envoy End Ukraine’s War?

Tourism in Western Sahara: Morocco’s ‘hidden gem’ turns a territorial dispute into a booming industry
bbc.co.uk

Tourism in Western Sahara: Morocco’s ‘hidden gem’ turns a territorial dispute into a booming industry

When a Ride Became Freedom: One Afghan Girl’s Escape from a Marriage‑Minded Regime
bbc.co.uk

When a Ride Became Freedom: One Afghan Girl’s Escape from a Marriage‑Minded Regime

Barney Frank, Pioneering Gay Congressman and Financial Reformer, Passes Away at 86
bbc.co.uk

Barney Frank, Pioneering Gay Congressman and Financial Reformer, Passes Away at 86

Remembering Barney Frank: Pioneering Voice for LGBT Rights and Financial Reform
bbc.co.uk

Remembering Barney Frank: Pioneering Voice for LGBT Rights and Financial Reform

Xi Jinping Welcomes Vladimir Putin in Grand Diplomatic Showcase
bbc.co.uk

Xi Jinping Welcomes Vladimir Putin in Grand Diplomatic Showcase

Understanding the Complex Ties Between China and Russia
bbc.co.uk

Understanding the Complex Ties Between China and Russia

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