America is commemorating the Semiquincentennial — the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence and the nation — this year, but the celebratory tone and patriotic sentiment are missing for many Americans.

America 250, the official nonpartisan commission established by Congress, has been overshadowed by President Donald Trump’s self-aggrandizing initiatives, Freedom 250 and The White House Task Force on Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday.

Among the Trump-backed celebratory icons and events are a gold coin, possibly a $250 bill and a passport emblazoned with his face. There was a UFC cage match on the White House lawn on the President’s 80th birthday. Last month, evangelicals and Christian nationalists, with the backing of Freedom 250, descended on Washington, D.C. to “rededicate” the country to God, and of course, praise the president.

The National Mall is still hosting the Great American State Fair despite multiple headlining acts withdrawing after discovering the fair is not part of the official nonpartisan celebration, but Trump’s co-opting of the nation’s observance.

When recognizing that Trump’s festivities are only for some Americans, and that the costs of........

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