President Donald Trump insisted on delivering his planned speech for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration Saturday night, even after severe weather warnings forced organizers to clear the National Mall. A thunderstorm alert from the National Weather Service prompted evacuation around 7:30 p.m. Eastern, but Freedom 250 spokesperson Danielle Alvarez announced gates would reopen at 9:45 and Trump would speak at 11:00. In a Truth Social post, Trump shrugged off that scheduled time, writing that he did not mind waiting until early morning if needed, and noted many veterans were present. The event had already faced delays from a record heat wave earlier in the day, and the president’s refusal to cancel highlights the political and patriotic significance attached to the anniversary.