Trump to mark US 250th anniversary with campaign-style rally on National Mall

US President Donald Trump marks the country's 250th anniversary on Saturday with a political rally on a fenced-off National Mall in Washington, capping a weeks-long celebration that has been widely ​criticised as divisive.

Across the United States, Americans plan to celebrate the patriotic holiday with fireworks ‌and parades. Philadelphia, where the Declaration of Independence from Britain was signed 250 years ago on July 4, 1776, will offer free cupcakes and a six-hour pop-music concert, while New York will feature tall ships from around the world.

In the nation's ​capital, Trump will place himself at the center of the celebration.

The president has billed his evening appearance ​among the city's iconic monuments as "the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all," accompanied ⁠by military flyovers and a super-sized fireworks display.

Washington's annual July 4 celebration typically draws hundreds of thousands ​of people, who this year will have to contend with stepped-up security, possible thunderstorms and temperatures that could top ​100F (38C).

Past U.S. presidents have steered clear of the celebration, but Trump has blurred the line between official commemoration and campaign-style politics.

A nonpartisan body set up in 2016 to handle the 250th anniversary has been largely sidelined by the Trump administration's Freedom ​250 group, which has fenced off much of the 1.5-mile National Mall for a "Great American State Fair" ​that features attractions such as a Ferris wheel alongside displays by conservative groups and defense contractors.

-Reuters