This Land Was Made for All of Us, Not Just a Few

Woody Guthrie’s iconic song “This Land Is Your Land” reflects America’s ideals. This sentiment resonated powerfully at a 250th birthday celebration for the United States, hosted by Ann Friedman at the Planet Word museum in Washington, D.C. The event was designed to celebrate American heritage and promote literacy.

Nolan Williams Jr., a renowned singer-composer, led a singalong of classic American songs. Despite the intense 100-degree heat, a diverse crowd of 300 people gathered in the main hall. Attendees, both young and old, joined in the songs with enthusiasm. The atmosphere was one of joy and camaraderie, with many expressing afterward a wish for the entire country to mirror this harmony daily. Some wondered why such gatherings didn’t occur more often on the National Mall.

This reflection stands in stark contrast with events later that evening on the National Mall. A different rendition, often perceived as the “Trump variation,” was echoed. Lyrics like “This land is my land, this land is my land,” underscored divisive themes centered on ownership and exclusivity.

Former President Donald Trump’s approach showed a clear pattern. He often focused on narrowing his audience to his political base. His strategies involved division rather than unification, consistently creating an “us versus them” narrative.

Reported by colleague Shawn McCreesh, Trump’s Independence Day address highlighted fear-mongering tactics against Democrats, mere months before midterm elections. On the surface intended to mark the nation’s monumental anniversary, the event felt like another political rally. Trump also advocated for legislative changes that would potentially restrict voting rights.

The skepticism around Trump’s leadership extended to his business ventures. Journalists Eric Lipton and David Yaffe-Bellany reported on the financial impact of Trump’s memecoin. Almost one million buyers of the coin had collectively lost money, with losses amounting to $3.81 billion by the end of June. However, Trump, personally benefited, reporting a $636 million profit from the venture in his financial disclosures.

Overall, Trump’s business activities in 2025 resulted in substantial personal gains, totaling at least $2.2 billion. This contrast between personal financial success and the broader impact on followers reflects a significant point of critique.