America’s 250th Shouldn’t Be Used as Trump’s Personal Rally

The United States is turning 250 years old next month, and there are two different groups planning its party: America250 and Freedom 250. As the big celebrations approach, the differences between the two groups may seem confusing — but they matter.

Let us explain: America250 was created by Congress in 2016 to plan the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Freedom 250 was announced by the Trump administration in December 2025 and has been behind the Great American State Fair and the UFC fight at the White House.

Unlike America250, Freedom 250 is not subject to congressional oversight or control, and it does not have to report its funding, spending, or actions. This makes it incredibly difficult to know what is going on behind the scenes at Freedom 250 — and what we do know about its funding and operations has raised more questions. So far, the National Park Foundation, where Freedom 250 is housed, has received about $80 million in government grants for this year’s celebrations. Meanwhile, America250 is facing about a $100 million budget shortfall.

It also seems like President Trump is using Freedom 250 to sell access to himself. A Freedom 250 donor packet suggested individuals who donated $1 million or more would receive an invite to a private reception with Trump. Plus, the Freedom 250 CEO encouraged world leaders to donate at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and American diplomats have been meeting with global executives to solicit donations. These campaigns have raised concerns that the Trump administration could be promising favorable treatment to companies that give money.

We need to closely monitor Freedom 250, including any additional funds it receives, any events it plans or promotes, and how the Trump administration could be using it and the country’s 250th anniversary to benefit himself or donors.

Learn more about how Trump is exploiting our country’s 250th anniversary.

Spotlight: Seeking info on the Trump admin’s vaccine agenda

As Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has repeatedly tried to upend U.S. vaccine policy, including by changing childhood vaccine schedules, firing and replacing members of influential policy panels, and blocking the release of information proving the medications are safe. 

We’ve filed public records requests to make sure the public has access to the recommendations of scientific experts and tracked the administration’s actions to ensure they are following the law.

In December, after RFK Jr. replaced members of HHS’s vaccine advisory panel with vaccine skeptics, we sent HHS a letter warning that the overhaul violated the law and the panel could issue recommendations harmful to public health. When that panel cut childhood recommendations for several routine vaccines including RSV, Hepatitis A and B, and meningitis, we filed FOIA requests for all reports, data, and presentations used to justify these cuts. And earlier this year, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention blocked the release of a study that showed the Covid vaccine is effective, we requested the agency’s related communications, to see if scientists feel they are allowed to share information that conflicts with RFK Jr.’s beliefs.

American Oversight in the news

• The Trump administration keeps ghosting its congressional watchdog (NOTUS)

Other stories we’re following

• Trump further guts Education Dept. by shifting oversight of special ed, civil rights (NPR)
• Judge limits enforcement of Idaho’s transgender bathroom access law (USA Today)
• Todd Blanche faces rocky Senate confirmation process for attorney general (The Hill)
• Supreme Court wades into fight over ‘prolonged’ detention of some ICE detainees (Politico)
• ICE obtains local voter files (Axios)