On July 4, German editors prioritized the AfD party congress in Erfurt, tracking the event from early morning blockades to the afternoon re-election of co-leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla. Outlets reported on massive counter-protests involving 50,000 demonstrators and significant police presence, with several sources highlighting physical attacks on journalists. The narrative shifted from the logistical challenge of starting the congress to the political rhetoric of Björn Höcke and the subsequent confirmation of the leadership duo. Parallel to domestic politics, media coverage followed the 250th anniversary of the United States, contrasting Donald Trump’s Mount Rushmore celebration with analyses of the nation’s democratic health. The celebrity marriage of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce in New York provided a persistent entertainment thread throughout the day. Meanwhile, a major fire at a Stuttgart wholesale market and Jürgen Klopp's signals of readiness for the national coaching job occupied significant editorial space.