Democrats say Trump is “hijacking” America’s 250th birthday — and the fight is now about money, donors, and a giant D.C. arch

WASHINGTON — Plans to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary are turning into a full-on political brawl, with congressional Democrats accusing the Trump administration of trying to take over the semiquincentennial planning process and steer money toward a White House-backed initiative that they say is less transparent than the congressionally chartered commission.

At a House Natural Resources subcommittee hearing this week, Democrats raised alarms about a White House-led effort called Freedom 250, arguing it’s using public money intended for the separate congressionally chartered America250 commission and mixing it with private donations. Rep. Maxine Dexter, an Oregon Democrat, said that structure makes it difficult to know who’s giving, and she questioned whether wealthy donors — including foreign interests — could buy influence without meaningful oversight.

The most viral hook in the dispute is the project list. Democrats said the administration is using the nonprofit National Park Foundation to solicit private money for what they described as presidential priorities, including a massive arch Trump has floated for Washington. Rep. Jared Huffman of California said Trump and allies were trying to use the anniversary to “promote an alternate reality,” while also accusing Republicans of letting the administration “sell access” and “hide his donors.”

Freedom 250 spokeswoman Danielle Alvarez told AP it has received no foreign donor funding. National Park Foundation CEO Jeff Reinbold told lawmakers the foundation must grant anonymity if a donor requests it. A White House spokesman said Trump wants to ensure the country gets “the spectacular birthday it deserves,” promising the celebration will display patriotism in the capital and nationwide.

Democrats also tied the celebration fight to a separate cultural argument: what history gets highlighted, and what gets downplayed. During the hearing, lawmakers raised concerns about national park sites where exhibits and displays have been “sanitized” or removed as part of the administration’s campaign to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina urged that confronting painful parts of the nation’s history is part of its strength.

Why this is blowing up: the 250th isn’t just a party. It’s branding, symbolism, and huge spending decisions spread across federal lands and institutions — plus a donor pipeline that critics say could shape which projects get built and which stories get told. If the administration and Congress can’t agree on who’s steering, the next year is likely to be a steady drip of subpoenas, donor questions, and competing “official” events.