Severe storms forced an evacuation at the National Mall before Donald Trump's anniversary rally in Washington. The disruption highlighted how extreme weather and political tensions shaped the US 250 celebrations.

President Donald Trump was due to mark the country's 250th anniversary on Saturday with a political rally in Washington, ​though summer thunderstorms threatened to disrupt the event at least temporarily.

Donald Trump used his Mount Rushmore address marking America's 250th anniversary to warn of communism. The speech and heat-hit celebrations underscored a deeply polarised national mood.

Trump is due to headline a July 3 fireworks display at the South Dakota memorial. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Trump is due to headline a July 3 fireworks display at the South Dakota memorial. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.