Donald Trump and his freedom convoy

At the entrance, a young receptionist offers a cheerful smile and brief recommendations: “Access is free. The exhibition consists of different screens that you can interact with. Once inside, you can stay as long as you want. Welcome aboard!”

It won’t take long to go through this Freedom Truck, launched a few weeks ago on the roads of the United States to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country on July 4th.

This mobile museum fits inside a semi-trailer with expandable walls. It is part of a set of six 18-wheelers created in a public-private partnership to meet Donald Trump’s need to have his place at the heart of the celebrations. Last Thursday, the museum stopped for three days at the Indianapolis 500 racetrack to take advantage of the event’s attraction, which is taking place this weekend.

“It was very inspiring and vibrant,” summarized Jack Leonard, a retiree from Kentucky attending the race, upon exiting the trailer. “We already know everything that’s inside, but it’s nice to be reminded from time to time.”

When visitors pass through the entrance, they are welcomed by George Washington. On a giant AI screen, he sets the tone for the exercise: a “journey” to the birth of the country, at the heart of the cry for freedom, and meeting the “13 colonies” that freed themselves to shape it.

The rest of the exhibition follows the same storyline by glorifying the victory of the rebellious colonists over the British tyrant and the subsequent events that led to the founding of the United States of America.

The classic stories are told in short animations created by AI: the first shots at Lexington and Concord; the battles of Bunker Hill and Saratoga; the meeting of Marquis de Lafayette and Washington at a fancy dinner, and the young Frenchman’s contribution to the war of independence; the Treaty of Paris in 1783; and the drafting of the American Constitution four years later. Visitors can add their signature to the page on a large touchscreen, allowing them to appear alongside those of the founding fathers.

Context: The Freedom Truck is a mobile museum celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States and traveling across the country.

Fact Check: The article discusses the controversial elements surrounding the initiation of the Freedom 250 Initiative by President Donald Trump to have a significant role in the bicentennial celebrations.