Trump to visit Iowa State Fairgrounds to kick off America’s yearlong 250th birthday celebration

President Trump on Thursday will tour the Iowa State Fairgrounds to kick off the celebration of America’s 250th birthday, making his first visit to the first-in-the-nation GOP caucus state since he returned to the White House.

Mr. Trump said in a Truth Social post that he is excited to be traveling to “beautiful Iowa,” one of his “favorite places” in the world, to start the year-long celebrating of the country’s 250th next year.

“Iowa voted for me THREE TIMES, because they love my Policies for our Wonderful Farmers and Small Businesses, and they LOVE AMERICA! This will be a very special event, honoring our Great Country, and our Brave Heroes who fought to keep us FREE,” Mr. Trump said.

The president is expected to give a speech, mindful that farmers are grappling with the impact of his tariffs and his mass deportations of illegal migrants, many of whom are farm laborers. Mr. Trump said this week he will give a “temporary pass” to illegal migrants working on farms and in hotels.

“I’ll also tell you some of the GREAT things I’ve already done on Trade, especially as it relates to Farmers. You are going to be very happy with what I say — Should be a BIG Crowd!” Mr. Trump wrote.

According to the White House, the Salute to America 250 Task Force has begun the planning of a full year of festivities that will continue through July 4th, 2026.

“The White House is engaging and encouraging the entire federal government, state and local governments, the private sector, non-profit and educational institutions, and every citizen across this country to join in this historic celebration,” the White House said. 

The Iowa event is among 56 celebrations that each state and territory plans to host throughout the next year “culminating in the most monumental celebration our country has ever known,” the planning committee said.

Mr. Trump last made his way to the Iowa State Fair in August 2023, months before Iowa’s 2024 Republican presidential caucuses, where it is first on the caucus calendar for the GOP.

Trump Force One buzzed over the fairgrounds, where he attracted large crowds who watched Mr. Trump’s every action and cheered him on when he hoisted a pork chop on a stick like a trophy.

Iowa’s state fair is a way for Iowans to display agriculture and the American heartland, sell deep-fried treats, show off life-sized cows sculpted from butter, enjoy carnival rides and watch farm animal shows.

Previously branded a swing state, Iowa has shown itself to be an illustration of Mr. Trump’s attraction among conservative voters and his resilience within the Republican Party.

A majority of Iowans supported Democrat Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, but switched to Mr. Trump in 2016 and 2020.

Mr. Trump has routinely said his supporters want him to run for a third term, but he said in a May interview with NBC News that he would not run for reelection, which is prohibited under the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

“It’s something that, to the best of my knowledge, you’re not allowed to do,” Mr. Trump said. “I’ll be an eight-year president. I’ll be a two-term president.”