Patriotism, Parades and America 250

In this week’s Blue Dot Podcast roundup, Natalie McDonald and Brian Koehl take a closer look at the celebrations surrounding America’s 250th anniversary and the controversy surrounding competing commemorative efforts.

The hosts discuss the origins of the bipartisan America 250 Commission, its mission to create inclusive, nonpartisan programming, and the community-focused initiatives it has launched, including student contests, volunteer opportunities, and nationwide celebrations. They also examine concerns about the Trump-backed Freedom 250 initiative, raising questions about funding transparency, event planning, and the politicization of a historic national milestone.

Plus, they highlight upcoming America 250 events, major entertainment celebrations across the country, and Fourth of July activities right here in Northern Kentucky.

Join us for a fast-paced conversation about patriotism, public service, civic engagement, and how communities are marking this historic anniversary.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to the Blue Dot, Northern Kentucky's premier political podcast, brought to you by the Kenton County Democratic Executive Committee. Welcome back to the Blue Dot Podcast for our weekly roundup where we deliver you all the news you need to know in 10 minutes or less. From national plans to local parades, this week we're going to focus on the fourth. Thanks for joining. I'm Natalie McDonald.

SPEAKER_00 0:21

And I'm Brian Cale with the July 4th holiday upon us and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the United States of America. Patriotism and our love for our country is top of mind and the center of activity. And to celebrate our 250th in the way the USA and all Americans deserve, ten years ago in 2016, Congress established the U.S. Semi-Quentennial Commission to plan and orchestrate a multitude of events and activities over multiple years leading up to this Saturday, July 4th, 2026, the big day.

SPEAKER_01 0:59

It is and full disclosure, Bryant, 4th of July is my favorite holiday. So you don't have to buy anyone presence. You hang out with your friends, you eat, you drink, and you blow stuff up.

SPEAKER_00 1:09

Yeah. What could be better?

SPEAKER_01 1:11

What could be what could go wrong? But back to the America 250 Commission. The commission's leadership includes members from the House of Representatives and the Senate from both parties, officials from all three branches of the U.S. government, along with 16 private citizens. The honorary national co-chairs of the commission are George and Laura Bush and President, former President Barack, and then Michelle Obama. The goal of the commission was to create a values-based programming with the approach of no politics, just purpose. That is until Donald J. Trump enters the chat.

SPEAKER_00 1:47

Yeah, the guy who ruins everything, the guy who has to have everything to be about him, who only glorifies himself, oh, and who is also a convicted felon and lifelong grifter. He decided he didn't like America 250 being about the American people and their stories about the service and sacrifice and the challenges and innovations that built this great country. Instead, Trump and his band of democracy destructionists created a competing organization backed by the White House, Freedom 250, and began the task of planning a series of MAGA-tinged partisan events thinly veiled as celebrations for all Americans.

SPEAKER_01 2:26

It's so sad. It's so sad. But you know, his Freedom 250 couldn't do all it wanted to do without funding. So where do you think we got that money?

SPEAKER_00 2:36

Hmm, I wonder.

SPEAKER_01 2:38

We siphoned it off the dollars from the congressional appropriations for the 250th anniversary programming. That's the funding earmarked by Congress for the official semi-quincentennial commission, otherwise known as America 250.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

Yep. Congress set up the Department of Interior as the conduit for accessing the $150 million budgeted for the official 250th anniversary celebration. And one of Trump's bootlickers runs in the Department of Interior.

SPEAKER_01 3:08

So it's we don't it's not really clear cut where that money came from. But reporting by multiple agencies and news outlets, estimate that the Freedom 250 hijacked anywhere from 23 to 100 million dollars from the congressional fund for its own program. But most say at this point no one really knows how much money is involved. We don't really know where it came from, kind of like the $2 billion that he's grifted over the last year. But two private companies, John Deere and Northrop Grumman, are identified as strategic partners. And no surprise, also there's a list of donors that are not being published publicly disclosed.

SPEAKER_00 3:48

Yeah, I mean, you look at the America 250 website and it has a long, long list of donors and partners, you know, completely transparent and quite unlike Freedom 250. You know, I think it's safe to say that Trump looked at the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation and said, hmm, this looks like an opportunity to line my pockets and those of my family and friends. I mean, okay, right? He says this about everything, and I mean freaking everything. Uh see for reference Trump Bible, Trump phone, Trump sneakers, Trump MAGA merch store, et cetera, et cetera. And Freedom 250 can be added to that list. The New York Times reported that Trump's allies were selling access to Trump and other perks for donations of one million dollars plus to the Freedom 250 initiative. Hmm. How much money did they collect? And where did this money go? And was it any of it actually spent on Freedom 250 programming? No one knows, although hopefully we will eventually find out as multiple congressional committees are being formed right now as we speak to investigate this yet another potential corruption scheme.

SPEAKER_01 5:00

Yeah, there's absolutely zero transparency. However, if there's one thing that we have learned from Donald Trump and Mega is that they can't actually execute much. They talk a really good game, they steal resources they need, but then the wheels fall off the getaway card.

SPEAKER_00 5:14

I mean, all you can see is that wide open green expanse of grass and hardly any people. I mean, no one's there because there's nothing to do, right? I mean, there's no rides except for a big Ferris wheel that's been working sporadically, no cotton candy, funneled cakes or corn dogs. I mean, I guess considering who is in charge of this mess, we should be happy that they went with the state fair theme instead of a mock-up of an ice detention facility.

SPEAKER_01 5:39

Yeah, that may still be happening. We don't know.

SPEAKER_00 5:41

We don't know criminal attractions.

SPEAKER_01 5:45

Yeah, so on the Freedom 250 website, they have other events listed. So they've it's apparent apparently airshows and presidential salutes, which uh, you know, who wants to do that?

SPEAKER_00 5:54

I'll be there.

SPEAKER_01 5:55

And uh supposedly educational tours and college lectures and cultural competitions and international programming via US embassies, and that all sounds great, but I don't we don't even know what's gonna happen.

SPEAKER_00 6:08

Right.

SPEAKER_01 6:09

We don't know. It's concept of a plan. Concept of a plan.

SPEAKER_00 6:13

Concept of entertainment.

SPEAKER_01 6:15

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 6:16

And even if Freedom 250 did follow through on some of those MAGA college lectures, I mean, what on earth is that gonna be like? Cultural competitions. I mean, MAGA doesn't acknowledge any other culture than its own. So I I'm not sure where where that's going.

SPEAKER_01 6:31

Yeah, there's definitely not gonna be a diversity there. So it's it's really hard, hard telling. However, Ryan, there is some good news. The original real deal, America 250 did forge ahead. It conducted some great events and activities over the past couple uh years, and it has been really uh great and truly American activities and events in store for the upcoming Fourth of July event. So we there they they did keep keep going.

SPEAKER_00 6:55

That's right. I mean, and one of the activities I really liked was America's Field Trip. It was a nationwide contest for students in grades three to twelve to submit essays or original artwork in response to the question, what does American mean to you? They received over 20,000 entries, and the top 250 students selected by the committee will win either a special behind-the-scenes field trip to some of our nation's most iconic landmarks, or a cash prize.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

Yeah, I mean, think about that. Think about you know some of the trips you can hang out with an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida or have a guided tour through Yellowstone National Park or storytelling under the stars at R Mount Rushmore. Those are all like very, very amazing events.

SPEAKER_00 7:40

Yeah, that's right. So cool. And another part of the America 250 celebration recognized that public service is such a big part of our country's story. And for that, America 250 established America Gives, which has become the largest volunteer effort in U.S. history. This is a collaborative effort coordinated across multiple partner organizations as well as many individual contributors. And to date, over 38 million volunteer hours have been logged. I mean, wow. That makes me so proud of our country and of my fellow Americans.

SPEAKER_01 8:12

Yeah, that's the stuff that makes America great, truly. You know, and and so all of that is still alive and well behind the scenes of our current leadership. And also, Brian, as part of America Gives, America 250 is donating $1 million in 2026. And 250 contest winners get to help select where those donations go. So way to go. Nicely done.

SPEAKER_00 8:33

I mean, that's a great idea, and and such a great way to get people involved in and excited about public service. And finally, then on the third and the fourth, America 250 has numerous shows lined up from block parties across the U.S. to a giving fourth benefit broadcast show from Times Square in New York City, and a July 4th benefit show in Los Angeles hosted by Queen Latifah. And by the way, the tickets for that show are $17.76. Nice. And these productions have some real powerhouse entertainment, such as Brad Paisley, Mary J. Blige, Jim Gaffigan, Chris Stapleton, Marin Morris, Chaka Khan, and more. I mean, it's quite a shift from the super lame guest lineup for Freedom 250 that then bailed once they realized the political nature of the Trump program. So some really exciting celebrations coming up over the next couple of days.

SPEAKER_01 9:24

Yeah, and such a diversity of talents, which I think is also what is amazing there. And what's even more exciting, Brian, is that we have so many great events going on right here in northern Kentucky. There are parades happening pretty much everywhere. The Kenton Dems were walking in the Fort Mitchell Parade. And what's even better is that we have so many candidates running. They're going to be joining us and walking together. This is going to be the largest Kenton Dems present in Fort Fort Mitchell parade in recent history for sure.

SPEAKER_00 9:51

Yeah, and the same will be happening in Campbell County in the Fort Thomas Parade, despite what promises to be some withering heat. Everybody be prepared for that. We are hoping to be at least 100 marchers strong.

SPEAKER_01 10:03

Yeah, that Fort Thomas Parade's going to be earlier than Fort Mitchell. So you guys, you guys got the good time spot. It might be a little cooler for you guys.

SPEAKER_00 10:10

Maybe. I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 10:12

Yes, but what a great way to celebrate. And we're going to recap it all next week because our 10 minutes are up. Happy Fourth of July, everyone. Until next time, stay curious, keep the facts in focus, and never ever stop fighting for what matters. Peace out, everyone.