Wes Moore plans July 4th speech as counter-programming to Trump: ‘Nation of sacrifice’

Published June 26, 2026 9:12am ET | Updated June 26, 2026 10:50am ET



Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) will give a speech about patriotism on the Fourth of July from the Maryland State House, in contrast to President Donald Trump‘s Independence Day rally on the National Mall, a “Tribute to America.”

Moore said he believes Trump is going to focus on talking about himself in the speech and that the president is “incapable of meeting the moment,” according to Politico, who first reported news of the speech. The pair of dueling speeches sets Moore up to directly juxtapose Trump, as Moore, a possible 2028 contender, continues to seek to elevate his name on a national scale. Though the Maryland governor told the outlet he’s trying “to be a foil to darkness,” not just Trump himself.

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