As part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, President Donald Trump and his administration have launched Freedom 250, which includes numerous events, including a soon-to-be IndyCar race through the streets of Washington, DC.

Festivities celebrating America include what has been dubbed the Patriot Games, a sporting event wherein a pair, a boy and a girl representing each state and U.S. territory, compete in a variety of events over three days, seeking to win the grand prize of a $250,000 scholarship. Competitors range in age from 14 to 17.

Some in the mainstream media have likened the event to the popular Hunger Games novels and movies, in which pairs of young people are forced to participate in a fight to the death in which only one comes out alive. However, Patriot Games competitors have rejected that comparison. “It’s a little bit diminishing,” says 16-year-old Max Biondolillo from Florida. “I don’t think it should be called ‘The Hunger Games’ because we’re not hurting each other. It’s just a pure athletic event that tests the best athletes in the country’s skills.”

Similar to a school field day, the events range from a 100-yard dash to tug-of-war to dodgeball.

Trump aims to showcase America’s talented youth. Yet according to much of the mainstream media, it is infused with a significant dose of MAGA politics.

The DEI-obsessed Washington Post noted that roughly 90% of the competitors are white, and — even worse — that many of the competitors expressed strong support for Trump. The Post quoted one athlete who remained anonymous, saying, “This is supposed to be the best high school athletes. … It just feels a little concerning not to see very many different types of people.”

Another criticism raised by the Leftmedia outlet is that the majority of participants are homeschooled or attend Christian schools. As if this were a bad thing. The Post called it “weird.”

Another Leftmedia outlet, The Daily Beast, reported, “Like many events put on by the president, the Patriot Games have a heavily politicized undertone. Most of the contenders, CNN found, thanked Trump personally for their opportunity to compete and touted their Christian faith.”

Thanking Trump may seem off-putting, except that it’s his administration putting on the games. And athletes touting their Christian faith is as common as thunder following lightning. It happens every week in numerous interviews with athletes following sporting events, at both the collegiate and professional levels. That’s not weird; it’s normal.

It’s certainly clear that Trump intends this event to be pro-America, which aligns with his America First political views. Much of the mainstream media, however, is aligned with the radical Left in its negative view of the nation.

When was the last time a Leftmedia outlet espoused an unapologetically positive view of America and our history? Indeed, even reporting on the events surrounding Trump’s efforts to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary is laced with negative spin, condescension, and criticism.

Pride in our nation and celebrating its genuine greatness is not some jingoistic, racially motivated nationalism. It’s patriotism.

And with these games, it’s exciting to see young Americans not only enjoy the blessing of freedom to compete, but to relish their heritage as Americans unabashedly.