It's America's 250th birthday on Saturday. But the main event is Donald Trump. He is and will be everywhere. You can bet your last $250 - he will be staring from the new bill, if it's released. And watching from limited-edition passports and 24-karat gold coins.Fusing his personal brand with the nation's identity at this historic semiquincentennial? That's exactly the idea. Yes, there's a law prohibiting a living person from appearing on currency notes. But Republicans can always try to remove that irritant. Trump is already the first sitting president with his John Hancock on the dollar, dislodging the treasurer's signature. Tradition be damned.A divided country watches, exhausted by the extravaganza of the erratic. What should it celebrate? Rising prices, or the make-believe world of Trumpian declarations? Many are happier watching the 'discovery of America' by foreign football fans who have descended en masse, taking over cities and draining bars. They are the best birthday gift.Freddy, a German, has thousands travelling with him as he drives his rental car to catch the next World Cup match. His social media posts are soothing and reassuring, as the random fan-turned-celebrity records his first impressions of southern hospitality, Tex-Mex food, ranch dressing, the enormity of Costco, country music, and the quaint beauty of small towns.Americans have embraced Freddy. Placards welcome him. Nasa gave him a tour. A popular country singer invited him to a concert after he got into her music on the road trip. Airlines have ensured he finds alternate routes through bad weather. People sent him maps when he got lost in Vermont looking for moose. Every post gets hundreds of responses filled with wonder, love and advice. No politics, no divisions.If only Washington DC were a World Cup venue, moan beleaguered residents. The vibe is negative, even angry. America's 250th feels more like Trump 250. And before anyone races to the patent office to hog/hawk the logo, forget about it. The Trump Organisation has already filed applications to trademark 'Trump 250' for use on bumper stickers, golf balls, mugs, tote bags and clothing. It's business and branding in the pursuit of happiness.But that's not enough - it never is. Trump wants to leave his mark on the capital. Literally. Nothing less than an 'Arc de Trump' would do, maybe a few inches higher than the Arc de Triomphe to drive the point home. The architectural overreach has critics howling about its fascist aesthetics, and war veterans raging over blocked views of monuments more important and built with a delicate eye on history.Trump's arch at the entrance of Arlington Cemetery, where America's fallen soldiers rest, is not a commemoration of the country but a monument to one man, say critics. And they're not wrong. When asked who the arch was for, Trump naturally said, 'Me'. Marble and machismo at your service.How could it be otherwise? He who is willing to grab 20% of future Hormuz fees, America's 250th gives him home team advantage. For a million dollars, you can be in the same room as Trump on July 4. For a little bit more - say, $2.5 mn - you can buy a speaking role and become the ultimate content creator for family lore.How is all this even happening in a country that prides itself on process and safeguards? Back when the US Congress was a real thing, it created a bipartisan commission in 2016 called America250 to conceive and execute the celebrations in 2026. A budget of $150 mn was approved to organise 'all fitting and proper activities' across the country. But the commission sat around for 10 yrs with nothing much to show in terms of event planning or projects.Trump did a hostile takeover with a rival organisation called Freedom250, which now controls the bulk of the funds. Its first event was a gladiator-style cage fight staged in the White House on the president's 80th birthday.Trump has been planning for the anniversary since his first term. He called it a great milestone 'in the history of the world' in his first address to Congress in 2017. Once back in office, he signed an executive order giving the White House the power to choose and chart the celebrations. Case closed.Of course, America's birthday party being appropriated by an unpopular president doesn't sit well with many party-goers. Prominent musicians have refused to perform at the main event, since it would essentially be a Trump rally. They don't want to be his props. America250, the original organisation, is belatedly trying to rustle up free 'unity' concerts in different cities so that ordinary non-MAGA have somewhere to celebrate.(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)