# Trump's 250th birthday party never ends > The Trump administration says it's shutting down Freedom 250, but the president keeps using the anniversary to justify pet projects and political operations. - Title: Trump's 250th birthday party never ends · Mother Jones - Summary: The Trump administration says it's shutting down Freedom 250, but the president keeps using the anniversary to justify pet projects and political operations… - Keywords: trump administration, freedom 250, 250th anniversary, national park foundation, event strategies inc, campaign nucleus, brad parscale, doug burgum, chris lacivita, meredith o'rourke, smithsonian institution, kennedy center - Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/politics/2026/09/america-freedom-250-trump-anniversary - Author: Dan Friedman - Published: 2026-09-22T13:59:04+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: trump administration, freedom 250, 250th anniversary, national park foundation, event strategies inc, campaign nucleus, brad parscale, doug burgum, chris lacivita, meredith o'rourke, smithsonian institution, kennedy center ## Trump's anniversary takeover The Trump administration created Freedom 250, a quasi-private organization, to control the country's 250th anniversary celebrations. Now it says it will shut it down, but the president's efforts to weaponize the milestone continue. ## A complex funding structure Freedom 250 is a limited liability company within the National Park Foundation, funded by an $86 million grant that won't expire until the end of 2028. This arrangement keeps its operations and spending largely opaque. ## Private contractor extends influence Event Strategies Inc, a company with close ties to Trump's campaign, still has a contract worth up to $100 million to organize festivities through 2030. Democrats warn this could allow the company to host events and build projects in the president's name for years. ## Voter data harvesting concerns House Democrats asked the Government Accountability Office to investigate Campaign Nucleus, a firm owned by former Trump campaign official Brad Parscale, for using attendee phone numbers, emails, and ZIP codes gathered at anniversary events. ## Taxpayer money for GOP midterms Democrats argue Trump and his allies are using voter information harvested with taxpayer money and government resources to influence the midterm elections. They say this represents an improper use of federal funds. > President Trump and his allies are in a position to use information on American voters, harvested with taxpayer money and government resources, in an attempt to tip the scales in the upcoming midterm elections. ## Spectacle over history Trump's anniversary events included a military parade, IndyCar race, Patriot Games, massive fireworks, and UFC fight at the White House. They were light on commemoration and heavy on the spectacle the president enjoys, with dozens of flyovers. ## Slush fund for insiders Senate Democrats say Freedom 250 appears to be a slush fund for wealthy corporations and insiders to buy influence with the White House. Many sponsors and partners are federal contractors with interests that could be affected by administration policy. ## Leaders stay in power Interior Secretary Doug Burgum appointed Freedom 250 leaders Chris Lacivita and Meredith O'Rourke to the National Park Foundation's board. They can keep those posts even after Freedom 250 dissolves. ## Washington statues and culture wars Trump demanded the Smithsonian install multiple George Washington statues, including a 30-foot colossus, claiming the museum failed to celebrate the Founding Fathers during the 250th anniversary year. The museum already has a Washington statue. ## Kennedy Center as leverage Trump has attributed his effort to renovate the Kennedy Center to the 250th anniversary. He recently shut down the center and threatened to raze it if barred from putting his name on it. ## Arlington arch becomes military complex Excavation on a 250-foot arch Trump wants to erect in front of Arlington National Cemetery is expected to start soon. Trump recently revised it to include a military complex with drone storage and sniper positions. ## Garden of heroes stalls but continues The administration is still pushing to build a National Garden of American Heroes with 250 statues on the National Mall near the Jefferson Memorial. It missed its July 4 deadline but continues despite a lawsuit questioning the plan's legality. ## Democrats vow ongoing investigations Congressional Democrats say Freedom 250 served as a blueprint for other administration efforts to combine public and private funding in slush funds. They promise to keep investigating as long as Trump continues using similar organizations. ## Key takeaway Even if Freedom 250 dissolves, Trump's use of the 250th anniversary to advance self-serving construction projects, attack institutions he deems woke, and build GOP voter data will continue well beyond 2028.