- Americans shunned the typical July 4 festivities on Saturday amid growing concerns about the coronavirus, but the White House organized a major event to celebrate Independence Day.
- The “Salute to America” meeting featured a speech by President Donald Trump and a military overpass, and fireworks were scheduled for later in the evening.
- Photos from Washington, DC show how Saturday’s event unfolded.
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While much of the country avoided typical July 4 celebrations amid fears of the coronavirus, President Donald Trump launched a large “Salute to America” meeting at the White House on Saturday that included a speech and a flyby. military.
The festivities occurred when COVID-19 cases across the country skyrocketed, particularly at new hot spots like Texas, Florida, and Arizona. Almost 130,000 have died of the disease so far.
Many of the attendees who attended the South Lawn of the White House on Saturday wore no masks; They were not required, but offered, according to The New York Times. Guests included front-line healthcare workers and members of the military service.
But the Associated Press reported that many revelers seemed to be taking a more cautious approach: the crowds on the National Mall were noticeably thinner than at previous July 4 celebrations.
Saturday came the day after Trump spoke to a crowd on Mount Rushmore, delivering a combative speech attacking his political opponents and denouncing the “left mobs” he accused of trying to “smear our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children. ” “
His Saturday speech contained similar themes, arguing that the country was “now in the process of defeating the radical left, Marxists, anarchists, agitators, looters, and people who in many cases have no idea what They are doing. “.
This is how the July 4 White House event unfolded:
