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Outrage Over NPR's Declaration of Independence Tweets?

Each year, Independence Day brings a wave of internet rumors.

by Aleksandra Wrona, July 6, 2017

Image courtesy of LPETTET, accessed via Canva.com

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2026, Independence Day has again become a magnet for online rumors.

Snopes has examined whether a limited-edition U.S. passport really features U.S. President Donald Trump's portrait, whether images showed a UFC arena under construction on the White House lawn as part of the celebration and whether U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., said deporting U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., would be a fitting 250th-birthday present for the nation.

Earlier rumors involving the holiday have included from a video described as showing Trump giving a "Nazi salute" during Fourth of July fireworks, a fabricated Kamala Harris quote about why Americans celebrate July 4 and a real video of 7,000 fireworks accidentally exploding at once in San Diego.

Below are 16 claims tied to the Fourth of July and the nation's 250th anniversary that Snopes has investigated:

By Aleksandra Wrona

Aleksandra Wrona is a reporting fellow for Snopes, based in the Warsaw, Poland, area.

A photo shows a blurry chain link fence with a panel that read "NATIONAL RENT-A-FENCE" and a telephone number. In the background, in focus, a group of soldiers followed by a group of civilians are walking around the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.

Did fencing go up around reflecting pool in June 2026?

June 25, 2026

The fences went up after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that vandals were trying to sabotag ...

On the left, Nancy Mace, a white woman with graying hair. On the right, Ilhan Omar, a Black woman wearing a headscarf.

Nancy Mace posted she wanted Ilhan Omar deported for America's 250th birthday

June 17, 2026

The Somali American representative became a naturalized citizen in 2000.

Two fake images show the White House before and after the Trump administration built a UFC structure on the South Lawn.

Don't fall for fake images of White House before and after UFC arena construction

June 4, 2026

Two images vastly dramatized the effects of changes outside the Executive Mansion.

A Snopes illustration shows the new passport design featuring Donald Trump's semblance and his signature in gold, over the text of the Declaration of Independence on the left, and on the right, an image of the Founding Fathers.

What to know about new US passport design with Trump portrait

April 29, 2026

The White House and the State Department said it was a "limited edition."

A white man is shown standing on a balcony. On the left, he puts a hand over his mouth like he is about to blow a kiss while on the right he holds his right hand up like he is waving.

Clarifying claim Trump gave 'Nazi salute' at Fourth of July fireworks

July 10, 2025

Online users shared a video showing U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump obs ...

Online memes and posts wrongly claimed US Vice President Kamala Harris once said the words today we celebrate the 4th of July and the reason we celebrate the 4th of July is because this is July and the 4th of July is in July.

No, Kamala Harris Didn't Say, 'The Reason We Celebrate the Fourth of July Is Because This Is July'

July 25, 2024

We looked for the origins of a fake quote appearing to first circulate online in July 2024.

A Facebook post claimed Kid Rock was playing a 4th of July on Central Park concert and said of the purported record ticket sales that MAGA is alive and well in New York City.

Kid Rock's 'Fourth of July on Central Park' Concert Set New Record for Ticket Sales in 2024?

June 24, 2024

According to a Facebook post, Kid Rock purportedly said, "MAGA is alive and well in New York City."

Real Video of 7,000 Fireworks Going Off in San Diego in 2012?

July 4, 2024

A 2012 Fourth of July display went completely wrong.

Under Jim Crow, Black People Couldn't Buy Vanilla Ice Cream?

June 17, 2024

According to some accounts, they could only buy this flavor on July 4.

Does 4th of July Video Show Hunter Biden Sniffing Cocaine at White House?

July 6, 2023

Numerous posts tried to connect the actual discovery of cocaine in the White House to Hunter Bid ...

Did Biden say he'd cancel fourth of july

Did Biden Say He'll Cancel Fourth of July If Americans Don't Do What They're Told?

April 24, 2021

Certain sources distorted remarks the president made about staying vigilant in response to the o ...

Does This Photo Show the Crowd at Trump's 4th of July Event?

July 5, 2019

Plenty of people showed up to celebrate Independence Day with U.S. President Donald Trump despit ...

Did Trump Say Revolutionary War Troops Took Over Airports?

July 5, 2019

The U.S. president blamed a teleprompter for the flub during his Fourth of July address in 2019.

Did the Mayor of Minneapolis Cancel 4th of July Fireworks But Allow a Muslim Animal Sacrifice at Vikings Stadium?

Aug. 23, 2018

A pinch of fake news, a smidgen of flawed reading comprehension, and a dash of Islamophobic fear ...

Does This Image Show How Four Different Presidents Celebrated the 4th of July?

July 9, 2018

An image graphic purportedly comparing how Obama, Clinton, Bush and Trump celebrated the 4th of ...

Outrage Over NPR's Declaration of Independence Tweets?

July 6, 2017

On 4 July 2017, as the radio network tweeted the Declaration of Independence line by line, numer ...

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