Donald Trump’s plans to mark the United States’ 250th birthday with a major celebration in Washington DC were interrupted on the evening of July 4, 2026, due to fears of an approaching thunderstorm.

Thousands of spectators had gathered at the National Mall for a show that included a speech by the US president and an extensive fireworks display. However, as menacing clouds appeared, the US Secret Service issued evacuation orders, instructing attendees to leave the site. An hour after the initial order, the Secret Service urged people to depart, which was met with a chorus of booing from the crowd.

Many attendees, some wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and apparel referencing Trump’s presidencies, were reluctant to leave after enduring hours of heavy security to enter the event. The crowd chanted “USA! USA!” and “We want Trump!” as military jet flyovers continued briefly before being canceled.

Eventually, rain and thunder forced many to seek shelter in nearby buildings and under government overhangs. The disruption came amid a major heatwave affecting the US east coast, which had already led to the abrupt cancellation of Independence Day parades in Washington DC and Philadelphia—the latter being the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776.

Temperatures in Washington were expected to exceed 100°F (37.8°C) as the semiquincentennial festivities reached their peak. The weather began to deteriorate shortly after the first attendees arrived at the site of Trump’s planned speech.

Sources