President Donald Trump waved and pointed to the crowd as he exited the stage following his remarks at the Iowa State Fairgrounds July 3, 2025 at an event kicking off a yearlong celebration leading up to America’s 250th anniversary. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
President Donald Trump took a victory lap celebrating the passage of the “big, beautiful bill” through Congress during an event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Thursday evening while sharing plans for the upcoming year of celebrations for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“There could be no better birthday present for America than the phenomenal victory we achieved just hours ago, when Congress passed the one big beautiful bill to make America great again,” Trump said.
While the gathering was officially linked to the country’s anniversary, much of the discussion at the event was centered around the passage of the tax and spending budget reconciliation bill that passed the U.S. House and was sent to Trump’s desk earlier Thursday.
The bill, which passed the House in a 218-214 vote is the controversial measure that would implement Medicaid work requirements, shift more funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program from the federal government to states, and extend the 2017 tax cuts approved during Trump’s first term. It also provides more than $170 billion in funding for the federal government to carry out mass deportations and raises the national debt limit by $5 trillion.
Trump said he plans to sign the bill into law Friday, July 4, while military planes fly overhead.
The president told the crowd of more than 1,000 that “this whole two weeks has been incredible” – pointing to the budget reconciliation bill that passed earlier Thursday, recent U.S. military strikes on Iran and his administration reaching trade deals with other countries.
Trump announces UFC fight at White House
Though much of his speech to the crowd gathered reflected what Iowans may have heard at campaign rallies during recent caucus cycles, Trump’s first Iowa event since January 2024 was the start of a yearlong celebration leading up to America’s 250th anniversary. Organized by America250, which also planned the Washington, D.C. military parade in June, Trump said there will be a year of celebrations, including sporting events and fairs.
“Every one of our national park battlefields and historic sites are going to have special events in honor of America250 and I even think we’re going to have a UFC fight,” he said.
Trump announced plans to host a Ultimate Fighting Championship fight with up to 25,000 spectators at the White House as part of his America250 celebration. Trump said UFC CEO Dana White would be organizing the fight. According to a White House Pool report, Trump is “dead serious” about plans for a fight on White House according to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
He also said he plans to bring America250 programming to fairgrounds across the country with the first event taking place at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. He announced these would culminate in a “giant patriotic festival” with exhibits from all 50 states displayed at the National Mall during the festival.
“We will be orchestrating what we’re calling The Great American State Fair and we’ll start right here in Iowa,” he said.
Speaking to reporters, Iowa GOP chair Jeff Kaufmann said “aside from politics, this is a big deal that he’s starting in Iowa” for the year of events, saying he was hopeful the event and others planned throughout the country will lead to people coming together for patriotic celebrations.
“This is a really big deal for Iowa,” Kaufmann said. “… I know it’s very political, I know it’s going to be very combative, you know, today, in terms of when we talk policy – I get that. God bless America. But there’s got to be moments during this next year when we can take a time out for just a bit.”
Trump supporters emphasize trust
Lori Coltrain, a Des Moines resident who came with her granddaughter to the event, said she wanted to “hear the truth” from Trump about the bill and other policies advanced by his administration.
“I just hate all the negativity about it,” Coltrain said. “People should just celebrate that he’s actually gotten it through.”
Though many attendees spent several hours Thursday afternoon with temperatures above 90 degrees, spirits were high among many who were excited to hear from the president following the successful passage of one of Republicans’ major policy proposals.
Keith Reicks of Ridgeway said he was excited to hear from the president and Iowa Republican leaders about bringing the bill to the finish line. He said he was not concerned about the protests and public opposition from Democrats and others about the legislation – and said he trusts Trump to sort out any unexpected issues that could be caused by the measure.
“I think if something turns up, Trump will straighten it out,” Reicks said. “It seems like he always does. And I believe in the man. When I was younger, I didn’t think too much of Donald Trump, because I always thought he was a pusher, but now I’m glad he’s pushing.”
He also said he does not believe the discontent with the bill and some Trump policies will result in major Democratic gains during the 2026 election, saying Democrats are more focused on “complaining” about Republicans and Trump than putting forward their own ideas.
He said Iowans and most Americans still support Trump and believe he is doing a good job in the White House.
“I think he’s doing a good job,” Reicks said. “I’d vote for him again if he was running, but I don’t think he’s going to.”
Trump said he has delivered on many of his campaign promises through the budget reconciliation bill and other actions since taking office earlier in 2025.
“The people gave us a historic mandate to cut taxes, raise take-home pay, bring back jobs, stop the invasion – the horrible invasion,” Trump said. “… Deport the illegals and slash hundreds of billions of dollars of waste and fraud, and that’s what we’re doing. With this bill, every major promise I made to the people of Iowa in 2024 became a promise kept.”
Tien Tran, a dentist from California, wears a custom made suit embellished with the visage of President Trump (Photo by Tom Foley/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
Tien Tran, a California dentist who flew to Iowa for the event, said he does not know all the details in the legislation but supports the measure.
“I don’t even know all the details but I know and I trust this president because he promised. Whatever he promised, he kept,” Tran said. “… President Trump has saved a lot of money for this country. President Trump with his executive order has saved a lot of lives.”
Kaufmann called for Republicans to stand strong in support for the measure despite widespread opposition.
“Listen to this very carefully, folks: Do not cede an inch when you’re talking to your neighbors and friends,” Kaufmann said. “And it says this – if you work and if you’re legal, you’re not going to get kicked off Medicaid, that’s a lie. It’s a lie for desperate people.”
All four of Iowa’s U.S. House members – Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra – voted in support of the bill. They, alongside Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, flew with Trump to Iowa on Air Force One following the House vote.
Though the four representatives did not speak at the event, Trump praised them as a “good group,” saying, “boy, they were so happy at that victory today.”
Trump says legislation planned to allow undocumented workers to stay
In addition to speaking on the budget reconciliation bill, Trump also highlighted legislation and executive action taken on immigration policy, talking about mass deportations under his administration.
However, he shared that there could be a potential caveat to some deportations of undocumented immigrants coming under his administration for people working in the agriculture sector who are not in the country legally. He said he is working with Noem and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on legislation that would allow undocumented workers to stay in the country if they can get the support and backing of their employers, he said.
“Brooke Rollins brought it up and she said, ‘So we have a little problem, the farmers are losing a lot of people,’” he said. “And we figured it out, and we have some great stuff being written. And let the farmers be responsible.”
He joked, “and if the farmers don’t do a good job, we’ll throw them the hell out of the country,” while adding he believed the media would not acknowledge the comment as sarcasm.
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley both spoke before Trump’s appearance, speaking about their support for the budget reconciliation bill. Grassley highlighted what he called his biggest contribution to the legislation as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee – saying he was a major backer for the provisions to increase funding for immigration enforcement and border security and for detention centers. These are all steps to “make America safe again,” Grassley said.
Ernst also talked about Republicans’ immigration policy, pointing to Trump signing the immigration bill that included “Sarah’s Law,” a provision requiring the detainment of undocumented immigrants who commit crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury.
This measure was named after Sarah Root, a 21-year-old Iowan killed by a drunk driver who was an immigrant who lacked legal status. Ernst said this measure passing was one of many actions taken by Trump she supports on immigration.
Iowans gather to protest Trump visit
Around 100 people gathered outside of the fairgrounds Thursday evening with protest signs, upside down American flags and megaphones to protest the president’s visit to Des Moines.
One protester, Maureen Ogle of Ames, waved her flag rightside up and pumped a cane in the air as cars drove past, honking in support of the protesters.
Ogle said she flew a flag upside down during the entirety of Trump’s first term, but now she wants to “reclaim” the national symbol.
“I want to save the Republic,” Ogle said. “The constitution has been demolished.”
Tom Fotey and Cami Koons contributed to this story
Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com.