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United States President Donald Trump used a July 4 speech to promote the country’s “progress” against Covid-19, despite a national increase in cases.
Amid criticism of his handling of the pandemic, he said China, where the virus originated, must be “fully responsible.”
The president also rebuked protesters who knocked down monuments of America’s historical figures in recent anti-racism protests.
“Their goal is demolition,” he declared.
In a combative tone that echoed his Friday night speech on Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the president vowed to defeat the “radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters.”
He spoke from the White House garden, flanked by his wife Melania, to a crowd that included American soldiers and front-line medical personnel.
In praising “the scientific brilliance of our nation,” Trump said the United States “will likely have a therapeutic and / or vaccine solution long before the end of the year.”
The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned in June that scientists will never be able to create an effective coronavirus vaccine, noting: “The estimate is that we could have a vaccine within a year. If it is accelerated, It could be even less than that, but for a couple of months. That’s what scientists say. “
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President Trump invited medical personnel and soldiers to the July 4 event at the White House
The United States has the highest number of deaths and coronavirus infections in the world, and confirmed more than 43,000 new cases of Covid-19 in 24 hours on Saturday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Florida, where the outbreak is especially acute, saw 11,458 new cases.
The president made no reference to the nearly 130,000 deaths in the United States related to the pandemic. He said the United States had examined nearly 40 million people, adding that 99% of the coronavirus cases were “totally harmless,” a claim he did not provide evidence for.
Trump’s comments were followed by a military overpass that involved multiple planes, including B-52 bombers and F-35 fighter jets.
Subsequently, a massive fireworks display was held in Washington DC, watched by spectators gathered at the National Mall.
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President Trump and First Lady Melania watched military planes soar in front of the White House
Before Trump’s speech, Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside the White House, the scene of many recent anti-racism protests following the murder of George Floyd in police custody.
What else did Trump say?
Addressing the battle for coronavirus in the United States, the president said his administration “has come a long way” and “our strategy is progressing well,” despite the rise in infections across the country.
Trump, who is facing re-election this year and appears ready to ignite his conservative base with calls for nationalism, accused China of trying to hide the virus outbreak, a charge that Beijing denies.
- Battle between the United States and China over coronavirus
“China’s secrecy, deceit and cover-up allowed [the virus] to spread throughout the world, “he argued.
In crafting his plan to create a “National Garden of American Heroes” with statues of renowned Americans, Trump said the country’s rich heritage belongs to citizens of all races.
“The patriots who built our country were not villains,” he said. “They were heroes.”
How did the United States mark July 4?
Many July 4 events were canceled for public health reasons, with Florida and California beaches closed, city parades canceled, and fireworks reduced.
Joe Biden, the Democratic Party rival against Trump in this year’s presidential election, tweeted that “this July 4th, one of the most patriotic things you can do is wear a mask.”
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Miami’s beaches have been closed for the holiday weekend, as have those in Los Angeles.
Fireworks are a traditional highlight of July 4th, but an estimated 80% of cities and towns have canceled their shows.
New York City generally has a one-hour extravaganza, but this year it was replaced by five-minute displays during the week, hosted by Macy’s department stores, with one last televised on Saturday, all in undisclosed locations.
Major League Baseball canceled its 2020 All-Star Game for the first time since World War II.
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