President Donald Trump kicked off Independence Day celebrations at Mount Rushmore with a speech that was less about hot dogs and fireworks and more about warning Americans of a creeping "communist menace." Speaking in Keystone, South Dakota, on Saturday, Trump framed the nation's 250th anniversary as a defining moment for national identity—and took plenty of shots at his political opponents.

"There is now a resurgence of the communist menace in our land," Trump said, targeting Democratic Socialists and progressive candidates. He added, "Communism is the enemy of free people everywhere… it is the enemy of the Constitution."

But Trump didn't stop at warnings. He also pushed for major electoral changes, calling for the elimination of the Senate filibuster and promoting a "SAVE America Act." His reasoning? "If we terminate the filibuster as we should do… then we will not lose an election for a hundred years." That's a bold claim, but it's the kind of line that gets a crowd going at a monument carved with four presidents' faces.

Trump accused his political opponents of threatening American values and described communism as fundamentally incompatible with the nation's founding principles. He also took time to praise the historical leaders carved into Mount Rushmore—Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Lincoln—as defenders of freedom and national strength.

The speech came amid a broader national conversation about unity and division. On Friday, Pope Leo XIV called for unity, peace, and a renewed commitment to America's founding ideals during a Liberty Medal ceremony marking the 250th anniversary. He emphasized that those principles remain unfinished and blessed the country, even while referencing past tensions with Trump over foreign policy.

And last month, Bill Maher urged Americans not to boycott July 4 celebrations over political divisions. He encouraged participation in the semiquincentennial festivities, calling it a shared national milestone despite concerns about Trump's involvement.

So, as America celebrates its 250th birthday, the message from the top is clear: watch out for communists, maybe kill the filibuster, and try to get along—at least for the fireworks.