As usual, Donald Trump is taking something that has nothing to do with him and trying to completely take over. In his latest move, the president has recently announced that he wants to hijack the annual 4th of July celebration at the National Wall and transform it into a campaign rally.
Trump is trying to rebrand the traditional celebration as “A Salute to America,” completely doing away with what has been a “nonpartisan celebration.” The Washington Post reported that this event will likely turn into a “Trump campaign rally.” The report stated:
President Trump has effectively taken charge of the nation’s premier Fourth of July celebration in Washington, moving the gargantuan fireworks display from its usual spot on the Mall to be closer to the Potomac River and making tentative plans to address the nation from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, according to top administration officials.”
Also in the report were a number of Trump’s many failed attempts to hijack other celebratory events in favor of making himself the focus. The Post included “failed efforts to mount a military parade modeled on the Bastille Day celebration in France. The new event has become a top priority for new Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, who Trump tasked with the job three months ago, officials said.” The Post reported that one aide said:
The president has shown interest in the event that he often does not exhibit for other administration priorities.”
As expected, many people aren’t happy about this. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) warned what this might mean for the future of the event:
It’s not about any one president. It’s about how our nation came to be, because of a hardy band of brave men and women. It’s not about any one person, it’s about ‘We, the people.’ And if the president moves to make this about him, I think he will find the American public disappointed and angered by it.”
Trump has been planning this for months, and it’s about time we all took his tweets as real threats to this country. This is what the president tweeted in February:
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
Yikes.
Featured image via screen capture
