On July 4, 2026, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered a speech at City Hall that highlighted the city’s immigrant heritage and marked the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence.
In his remarks, Mamdani emphasized that patriotism requires confronting the nation’s shortcomings and that America remains exceptional because it is always evolving.
Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt criticized the address, calling the mayor a “communist” and asserting that the speech was part of a broader ideological effort to reshape national identity.
Pratt argued that movements associated with communism seek to erase historical memory to weaken national identity, comparing the nation’s history to a family home built on shared experiences.
He defended American pride, insisting that the United States is defined by its historical legacy and sacrifices, and urged citizens to take pride in their history and Independence Day traditions.
