Trump marks 250th anniversary of Caesar Rodney’s ride for independence
The Delaware delegate rode roughly 80 miles overnight from Dover to Philadelphia, arriving July 2, 1776, despite asthma and facial cancer, to break his delegation's deadlock on independence.
WHITE HOUSE — Donald Trump marked the 250th anniversary of Caesar Rodney’s midnight ride for American independence in a Truth Social post on July 2, 2026 at 8:57 PM EST.
Here is the full post (see truthsocial): “Rodney served as a delegate from Delaware to the Second Continental Congress in 1776. Delaware’s three-member delegation was deadlocked over whether to vote for independence, with one delegate in favor and another opposed. Rodney rode roughly 80 miles overnight from Dover, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, arriving on July 2, 1776, despite suffering from asthma and facial cancer.”
Rodney served as a delegate from Delaware to the Second Continental Congress in 1776. Delaware’s three-member delegation was deadlocked over whether to vote for independence, with one delegate in favor and another opposed. Rodney rode roughly 80 miles overnight from Dover, Delaware, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, arriving on July 2, 1776, despite suffering from asthma and facial cancer.
Trump’s tribute lands as the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with nationwide celebrations throughout 2026 (see moderndiplomacy.eu). The anniversary ranks among the country’s most significant historical milestones, with events culminating in a major celebration in Washington.
Trump is visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial to mark the milestone, his second presidential appearance at the monument after a 2020 Independence Day visit (see moderndiplomacy.eu). On July 4, he plans a rally on the National Mall, military flyovers and a large fireworks display (see malaymail.com). “On July 4 it’s going to be approximately 107 degrees out, and I’m going to go and I’m going to make a really long speech — just to show that I can do anything,” Trump said (see malaymail.com).
A Quinnipiac University poll showed 61 percent of Americans thought the country was not living up to the ideals stated in the Declaration of Independence (see malaymail.com). The commemorations offer an opportunity to reflect on U.S. history and national identity amid a divided political environment.
In the last 30 days, 28 of 522 Trump posts were on topic “Culture.”
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on July 3, 2026 at 11:26 AM EST
Source: Zenger analysis
Note: Table generated by https://zenger.news on July 3, 2026 at 11:26 AM EST