On Sunday, Feb. 24, President Donald Trump announced that his administration will have "one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C." with his upcoming "A Salute To America" Fourth of July event. However, city officials say this is no different than a regular July 4 in the nation's capital.
Trump announced this "new" event via his favorite medium, Twitter.
"HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C., on July 4th," Trump tweeted. "It will be called 'A Salute To America' and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial." If you weren't sold on being surrounded by a sea of MAGA hats, Trump also promised a "major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!"
This news comes after Trump expressed his desires to create an Independence Day tradition, hinting at the possibility of this event.
"It could be a very exciting day. It'll be a, really a gathering, as opposed to a parade I guess you'd have to say," Trump said to The Hill. "Perhaps at the Lincoln Memorial. We're looking at sites. But we're thinking about doing something which would become perhaps, become a tradition, Salute to America, on July Fourth or July Fourth weekend, somewhere around that area."
Despite Trump's excitement, National Parks Service spokesman Mike Litterst told the Washington Post that "no final decisions have been made" as to where the Salute to America will take place, while the city's mayor is struggling to find out what makes this celebration different than any other year.
"Every year, Washington, D.C. celebrates the 4th of July with a handful of parades, a matinee baseball game at Nationals Park, a Folklife Festival on the Mall and neighborhood cookouts in all eight wards," a spokesperson for D.C. Mayor's Office said. "The day culminates with music and fireworks stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. Like you, we are still assessing what will be different this year, but we know these celebrations only truly salute America when they are inclusive, diverse and welcome all."
