Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha blasted the wave of negative Fourth of July messaging, arguing the holiday should be a moment to celebrate the country, not dwell on its shortcomings.
“If you’re one of these people who decided to take this incredible occasion to crap all over this republic, whether you’re a Karen or a Newsom, which are basically the same at this point, thank you,” Concha said on Fox News’s Hannity on Monday. “You’re on the very wrong side of what should be a day where we all come together as Americans, as patriots.”
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Concha’s comments come amid a broader political debate over how to mark the nation’s semiquincentennial. While many officials celebrated the milestone with traditional patriotic events, others used the occasion to emphasize America’s unfinished promise and ongoing challenges.
Among them was New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who delivered an alternative America 250 address centered on immigration, inequality, and democratic reform. Mamdani argued that America’s greatness lies in its ability to change and criticized concentrated wealth, immigration enforcement, and political leaders who, he said, had fallen short of the country’s ideals.
Concha rejected that framing, arguing that Independence Day should focus on national unity rather than political grievances. Concha also noted a widening partisan divide over patriotism and warned Democrats that pessimistic messaging is unlikely to resonate with voters.
“I’m a student of messaging,” Concha said. “What I know is that positivity in slogans works.”
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Concha pointed to Ronald Regan’s “Shining City on the Hill” vision and President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan as examples of messages he believes inspired voters, contrasting them with recent Democratic campaign themes.
“If Democrats want to be, ‘This country sucks,’ or you want to be Republicans and say, ‘You know what? We’re a great country. We could be better,’ that’s the way it’s gonna go,” Concha said.
