Nationwide audience to hear Trump’s America250 address during presidential visit to South Dakota

White House confirms president’s appearance at America 250 fireworks celebration as network plans live coverage from the Black Hills

The White House on Thursday confirmed President Donald Trump’s long-anticipated appearance at the America 250 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration, ending months of speculation about whether he would attend the event.

And while tickets for the Independence Day eve festivities and the presidential visit have been sold out for months, Trump’s remarks will reach far beyond the audience that’ll gather at the Black Hills monument.

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After Trump finalized plans to visit the presidential memorial near Keystone, government-affairs network C-SPAN announced it will carry the president’s July 3 remarks as part of its America 250 special programming, allowing viewers across South Dakota, nationwide and around the world to watch in real time.

“For every American who wants a front-row seat to this historic weekend, C-SPAN will be there — and it is our privilege to bring every moment to the American people exactly as it happens,” C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist said.

The celebration is being organized by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the National Park Service. It marks the first fireworks display at Mount Rushmore National Memorial since 2020.

Fireworks were suspended during the Obama and Biden administrations amid concerns over wildfire danger, environmental impacts and, more recently, objections raised by tribal leaders.

Tickets required for attendance at the America250 celebration were distributed through a public lottery in April.