‘America is back’: Trump kicks off Great American State Fair with flyovers, patriotic National Mall speech

By Fox News · Fox News

President Donald Trump kicked off the Great American State Fair Wednesday evening by touting America’s success under his leadership and likening his political movement to the American Revolution during remarks on the National Mall. "Just like those patriots of 1776, over the past 17 months, we have taken power back from the far off political class," Trump told a crowd gathered in the nation’s capital for the opening ceremony. "They’re trying to gain it back, but it’s not going to happen. We have reclaimed our sovereignty, regained our liberty, restored our prosperity, and we have saved our country in all things. We are once again putting a thing called America first." Trump walked out to Lee Greenwood performing "God Bless the U.S.A." as part of the opening ceremony for celebrations surrounding the nation’s 250th anniversary. The president’s remarks were preceded by military flyovers, including B-2 bombers and F-35 stealth fighter jets, as well as comments from Trump Cabinet members and music from the U.S. Marine Band. TRUMP ADMIN UNVEILS 11-FOOT-TALL, AI-DESIGNED NUCLEAR TEST FLIGHT VEHICLE AT THE GREAT AMERICAN STATE FAIR "America is back," Trump declared to a roaring crowd. "We’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. We’re respected by everybody. Nobody’s laughing at us anymore." Trump used his remarks to tout improvements to the nation’s capital, saying homeless encampments and graffiti had been removed, more than 50 monuments and memorials had been repaired and beautified, and dozens of statues had been cleaned since he returned to office. Trump also pointed to repairs at Union Station, Meridian Hill Park, Lafayette Square and the Reflecting Pool, which he said had been "gruesomely vandalized by thugs." "The vandals got to it," Trump said of the Reflecting Pool. "They’ve largely been caught and are being prosecuted. We can’t let that happen to our country." Trump previewed several anniversary-related projects as well , including what he described as a ne…