US President Donald Trump affirmed that the United States will not allow its decline or fall, during a speech he delivered to crowds in Washington on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence. Trump said that the bad weather conditions would not have prevented him from appearing in front of his supporters, thanking the participants and stressing that they "did the right thing." The authorities had evacuated tens of thousands of people in the National Mall area as thunderstorms approached, before the US Secret Service subjected those returning to the site to security inspection procedures, which led to long lines and difficulties for many to enter again. Trump expressed his regret for those who left and were unable to return, saying: “You are very special people, and we have a very special country.” Although he admitted that the delay was “uncomfortable,” the US President sought to give the storm an exceptional character, considering that it had become part of the celebration atmosphere. “This is an evening that will go down in history,” he said. “I think this is something very special.” He added that the lightning scene, despite the confusion it caused, made the occasion “bigger” and “more beautiful in its own way.” Before the speech began, Trump had confirmed his intention to go ahead with his delivery no matter how long it took for the storm to subside, and he wrote on his “Truth Social” platform: “Storms bring luck no matter the occasion, and they also make events a little more exciting.”