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Former presidents share messages ahead of nation’s 250th birthday: ‘Don’t give up on America’

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by Judy Kurtz - 04/20/26 3:24 PM ET

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by Judy Kurtz - 04/20/26 3:24 PM ET

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The nation’s four living former presidents are offering their thoughts on where the U.S. stands ahead of its 250th anniversary this summer.

“So I think my message is: Don’t give up on America. We’re the longest-lasting, freely elected government in history now. And a lot of people didn’t think we’d make it this long,” former President Clinton told “Today’s” Jenna Bush Hager, in a portion of an interview that aired Monday on NBC’s morning show.

“I think it’d be a good thing if we made it longer. So everybody should be thinking about that this year,” Clinton, 79, said.

“Do I want to make it longer? Because if I do, then I have to favor cooperation over constant conflict, and I have to be willing to lose as well as to win,” he added.

Clinton, along with former Presidents Obama, Biden and George W. Bush spoke with Hager as part of the History Channel’s “History Talks” event in Philadelphia.

Asked by Hager, who’s the daughter of Bush, to share his message to the American people as the country nears the 250th anniversary of the July 4, 1776, signing of the Declaration of Independence, Obama expressed confidence “we’re going to have another 250-year run” if citizens adhere to several ideals.

“If we hold true to that idea — that we, the people, have been gifted this chance of self-government — if we pay attention to our responsibilities and our duties, and if we extend respect and thoughtfulness to our fellow citizens, even if we disagree with them,” Obama said.

“If we understand that part of this democratic project is to sort through our differences in peaceful, legal ways,” Obama, 64, added.

“My message is: ‘Consider yourself fortunate to be a part of a great nation,’” Bush told his daughter.

“Study our history so you have a better sense for what the future will be like,” the 43rd president continued.

“And be a citizen, not a spectator. And by that I mean participate in the process but also love a neighbor like you’d like to be loved yourself,” Bush, 79, said.

“We are the most unique country in the world in the sense that we really do think democracy is dictated by the rules of the Constitution. And we do believe… that all men are created equal, everyone’s entitled to a shot,” Biden said.

“And I think as we do that, it grows instead of focusing on divisions,” the 83-year-old former commander in chief said.

“Because we’re not nearly as divided as we’re being portrayed,” Biden said.

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