National Mall Evacuated as Storms Approach Trump’s Speech
WHO:
NBC News - President Trump is expected to deliver a speech.
Deadline - Trump stated he will deliver his speech “no matter what happens.”
WHAT:
Newsweek - Trump claims that 375,000 people were at the National Mall before evacuations.
NBC News - The National Museum of African American History and Culture reached capacity while sheltering guests during the evacuation.
San Francisco Chronicle - The Great American State Fair is part of the Trump administration-backed celebration of the semiquincentennial, which is scheduled to run through July 10, 2026.
San Francisco Chronicle - Freedom 250 reported that more than 200,000 people had visited the Great American State Fair and its accompanying FIFA Fan Fest zone.
San Francisco Chronicle - D.C. Fire and EMS reported 44 patient contacts before the fair closed, including 11 people transported to hospitals for various illnesses and injuries.
San Francisco Chronicle - The National Mall was shut down and people were evacuated as a massive storm approached the city.
NBC News - President Trump thanked those who stayed through weather delays to watch his speech at the Salute to America 250.
NBC News - The Great American State Fair is scheduled to run through July 10, 2026.
San Francisco Chronicle - Freedom 250 reported that more than 200,000 people had visited the Great American State Fair and its accompanying FIFA Fan Fest zone.
San Francisco Chronicle - The Great American State Fair was closed for the afternoon due to extreme heat, sending 11 people to the hospital.
San Francisco Chronicle - Freedom 250 announced that gates would reopen at 9:45 p.m., about two hours after the evacuation.
San Francisco Chronicle - Trump stated he would speak “no matter what” and that fireworks would follow his remarks at 11 p.m.
San Francisco Chronicle - The National Museum of African American History and Culture reached capacity while sheltering guests during the evacuation.
San Francisco Chronicle - More than 10,000 attendees were estimated to have been evacuated from the National Mall.
NBC News - The National Mall has reopened after being evacuated due to severe weather.
Deadline - Trump announced he will start speaking at 11 p.m. ET.
Deadline - Trump posted on Truth Social about the storms, saying, “Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting!”
WHERE:
NBC News - The National Mall in Washington, D.C. was evacuated.
NBC News - Attendees were told to seek shelter at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.
WHEN:
Deadline - Trump is scheduled to speak at 11 p.m. ET.
WHY:
NY Post - The evacuation of the National Mall was due to a massive storm approaching the city.
HOW:
San Francisco Chronicle - The Great American State Fair is part of a 16-day event scheduled to run through July 10, 2026, featuring state and territory exhibits, federal agency displays, musical performances, military flyovers, and a Ferris wheel.
San Francisco Chronicle - The event is the first Fourth of July celebration in the capital designated as a National Special Security Event, with the Secret Service in charge of security and bringing together federal, state, and local agencies.
San Francisco Chronicle - More than 4,800 National Guard members from 23 states and the District of Columbia were deployed across Washington.
NBC News - The event is the first Fourth of July celebration in the capital designated as a National Special Security Event, with the Secret Service in charge of security.
San Francisco Chronicle - Attendees were asked to seek temporary shelter in nearby buildings due to severe storms approaching the National Mall.
NBC News - Crowds sheltered due to severe weather conditions.
(UPDATED July 5, 2026 17:17 UTC)
Trump has claimed that 375,000 people gathered at the National Mall before evacuations took place, while the National Museum of African American History and Culture reached capacity as it sheltered guests during this time. Meanwhile, the Great American State Fair is set to kick off as part of a 16-day event that will run through July 10, 2026, showcasing state and territory exhibits, federal agency displays, musical performances, military flyovers, and even a Ferris wheel. This fair promises to be a vibrant celebration of culture and community.
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(UPDATED July 5, 2026 11:23 UTC)
The Great American State Fair, part of a celebration backed by Trump for the semiquincentennial, is set to run through July 10, 2026, and has already attracted over 200,000 visitors, along with a FIFA Fan Fest zone. However, the event faced challenges as D.C. Fire and EMS reported 44 patient contacts, including 11 individuals transported to hospitals, just before a massive storm prompted the evacuation of the National Mall. This year's Fourth of July celebration in the capital is notable for being designated as a National Special Security Event, with more than 4,800 National Guard members deployed from 23 states and the District of Columbia to ensure safety.
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(UPDATED July 5, 2026 09:47 UTC)
President Trump expressed his gratitude to those who braved weather delays to attend his speech at the Salute to America 250, which is the first Fourth of July celebration in the capital designated as a National Special Security Event, with the Secret Service overseeing security. Meanwhile, the Great American State Fair, which includes a FIFA Fan Fest zone, has already attracted over 200,000 visitors and is set to continue through July 10, 2026. This year's festivities highlight the nation's spirit and community engagement during the holiday.
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(UPDATED July 5, 2026 07:55 UTC)
The Great American State Fair was closed for the afternoon due to extreme heat, resulting in 11 people being hospitalized. As more than 10,000 attendees were evacuated from the National Mall, the National Museum of African American History and Culture reached capacity while providing shelter during the evacuation, with attendees directed to seek refuge in nearby buildings due to severe storms. Trump announced he would speak “no matter what” and that fireworks would follow his remarks at 11 p.m., with gates to Freedom 250 set to reopen at 9:45 p.m., about two hours after the evacuation.
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(UPDATED July 5, 2026 04:16 UTC)
President Trump is set to deliver a speech at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., at 11 p.m. ET, despite the recent evacuation caused by a massive storm. The National Mall has since reopened, allowing attendees to return after seeking shelter at the Ronald Reagan Building during the severe weather. Trump took to Truth Social to express his thoughts on the storms, saying, “Storms bring luck to whatever the occasion. They also make events a little bit more exciting!”