Trump teases ‘Salute to America’ on July 4

by Justin Wise - 02/24/19 7:55 AM ET

President Trump on Sunday said his administration would hold one of the “biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C.” on July 4.

“HOLD THE DATE!” Trump tweeted. “We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C., on July 4th.

“It will be called ‘A Salute To America’ and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!”

HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C., on July 4th. It will be called “A Salute To America” and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019

{mosads}Trump said earlier this month that he was thinking about putting on a Fourth of July gathering in Washington, D.C., and he suggested that the event could become a “tradition.”

“It could be a very exciting day,” Trump said. “It’ll be a, really a gathering, as opposed to a parade I guess you’d have to say. 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.”

The Washington, D.C., mayor’s office said at the time that it had not received any information from the White House about the event.

The nation’s capital already has a range of annual festivities on the Fourth of July, including a fireworks show at the National Mall, a free concert and a parade down Constitution Avenue.

Trump in 2018 repeatedly expressed interest in having a military parade before the 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I. But he canceled the parade in August, citing the high cost.

The president had said at the time that “local politicians” were responsible for the costs. Reports surfaced last year that the parade would cost about $92 million.