Governor Josh Shapiro recently told The New Republic that Pennsylvania will not participate in President Donald Trump’s gala celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary.
Shapiro said his office canvassed the opinions of Pennsylvania businesses about the gala, and that the feedback drove the decision.
“None were interested,” Shapiro said. “It reflects this sad state of affairs that we find ourselves in—that the president has politicized this to a degree that businesses don’t want to participate.”
Eight other states—Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Illinois, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, and North Carolina—appear to be rescinding the invite as well, Politico said.
“On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the most important milestone in our country’s history—250 years of American Independence,” the White House’s website says. “’With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history,” said President Trump of this momentous anniversary.'”
In related news, Shapiro privately met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Toronto earlier this month, Politico reported today.
The meeting was dubbed in the article as “the latest sign that top 2028 Democratic contenders are cultivating ties with a key ally”. Audrey Champoux, a Carney spokesperson, said they focused on “the relationship between Pennsylvania and Canada, which includes high levels of collaboration in various sectors, including energy infrastructure, critical minerals, manufacturing, and life sciences.”
“I really wanted to just make clear that we respect Canadian sovereignty and also do business,” Shapiro told Politico in an interview. “I mean, Canada is a huge trading partner for Pennsylvania. We export and import literally about $14 billion a year on both sides. We have a totally balanced trade relationship.”
Shapiro also met with Dave McKay, CEO of the Royal Bank of Canada, and had a bilateral meeting with Ontario Premier Doug Ford during his time in Toronto, Politico said.
Lastly, Shapiro was mentioned in a Trump speech made during his visit to Mack Trucks facility in Macungie on Tuesday, WJACTV reported.
Trump reportedly said “Shapiro’s not much better” than the politicians he called “communists” in New York.
In response to Trump’s visit, Shapiro wrote on X.com:
I hear from folks across this Commonwealth every day: Donald Trump’s chaos, cruelty, and corruption are making our country worse off and making it harder for families to get by.
Folks want a government that works for them and makes the day-to-day easier — which is the opposite of what Trump and his allies are doing in DC.
This November, we’re going to have a national referendum to put a check on this President and his reckless agenda — and Pennsylvania is ready to stand up.
You can watch a clip of the mention:
The full speech is below:
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