'Most exceptional nation ever': Trump hails US as strongest, freest country

KEYSTONE, SOUTH DAKOTA: President Donald Trump hailed the United States as "the most successful, most accomplished, most exceptional nation ever to exist in human history" during a speech at Mount Rushmore on Thursday, July 3, as the country prepared to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Before beginning his remarks, Trump acknowledged the crowd after supporters chanted, "USA! USA! USA!" Greeting attendees, he said, "I want to thank you all for being here. This is a big crowd. This is a lovely crowd. And what a sight it is."

Trump praises America's history, Constitution, and global standing

Trump opened his remarks by calling the upcoming Independence Day celebration one of the most significant moments in history, telling supporters that the nation's 250th anniversary represented an achievement unmatched by any other country.

"Nothing like it. In all the chronicles of the ages, never before has any nation celebrated so magnificent a triumph as this one, the one that we are participating in right now," Trump said. 

He went on to describe the United States as unique among nations, citing its constitutional system, military strength, and history.

"America is the oldest republic on Earth. We are the freest people on Earth. We have the most righteous and enduring Constitution on Earth." Trump added, "The United States of America is the most successful, most accomplished, most exceptional nation ever to exist in human history."

The president also said America's development over the past two and a half centuries stood apart from the experience of most nations. "For a quarter of a millennium, liberty, justice, equality, self-government, and unmatched prosperity have flourished here as they have never flourished anywhere before," Trump said. 

Crediting the United States with shaping the modern world through innovation, Trump said, "We are the nation that dreamed and created the modern world, we laid the railroads, we raised up those big, beautiful skyscrapers... and almost everything else that has ever been invented."

Trump says preserving America's identity is a patriotic duty

Trump argued that America's success was built not only on its founding documents but also on the character of its people.

"We can never forget that American liberty has not endured for 250 years merely because of words on paper," Trump said. "Liberty has prevailed here because of the culture and character of the people who declared it, defended it, and preserved it."

He also claimed there had been "an undeniable attempt to change this exceptional character, to beat the American spirit out of us, alienate us from our history," and vowed to restore the nation's identity.

"Tonight, let us say clearly and proudly what makes Americans so unique and extraordinary. We're going to give our country its identity back," Trump said. "Above all, Americans love freedom."

Trump added that being American was defined by loyalty to the country rather than birthplace. "You do not have to be born here, but you do have to love what we have built, you must love our country," he said.