Trump defends cost of ‘Salute’
President touts value of event, but aides won’t reveal price
President boasts that his Independence Day celebration will be ‘the show of a lifetime,’ defends cost concerns.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday boasted that his Independence Day celebration planned for Thursday will be “the show of a lifetime” and defended concerns about its cost, saying that it will be “very little compared to what it is worth.”
Trump administration officials have refused to say how much taxpayers will have to pay for the expanded celebration on the Mall this year.
The Washington Post reported Wednesday that the National Park Service is diverting nearly $2.5 million in entrance and recreation fees primarily intended to improve parks across the country to cover costs associated with Trump’s event, according to two individuals familiar with the arrangement.
The diverted park fees represent just a fraction of the extra costs the government faces as a result of the event, which will include displays of military hardware, flyovers by an array of jets including Air Force One, the deployment of tanks on the Mall and an extended pyrotechnics show.
“The cost of our great Salute to America tomorrow will be very little compared to what it is worth,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “We own the planes, we have the pilots, the airport is right next door (Andrews), all we need is the fuel. We own the tanks and all. Fireworks are donated by two of the greats. Nice!”
In an earlier tweet Wednesday, Trump said that the “July 4th Salute to America at the Lincoln Memorial is looking to be really big.”
“It will be the show of a lifetime!” he added.
Trump will speak from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on Thursday evening in what’s billed as an apolitical event that comes as the 2020 presidential campaign is heating up.
Gates open at 3 p.m. EDT for his event — six hours before fireworks begin — with temperatures expected to reach the low 90s.
Trump is effectively rebranding a celebration that attracts thousands of families to watch the fireworks but almost never includes presidential speeches on the Mall. Critics say his revisions risk turning Washington’s July 4th into a de facto Trump rally that’s likely to draw counterprotests.
Trump’s remarks are expected to last roughly half an hour, an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
His speech will celebrate America’s independence, the flag and the military, the official added.
Trump will reserve space for special guests — the Trump campaign and Republican National Committee have received tickets, while the Department of Defense, with 5,000 tickets of its own, will send several top officials, including acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper.
Federal law bars political fundraising in government buildings or rooms where officials perform their duties, but doesn’t restrict presidents from inviting deep-pocketed donors to the White House or official events.
The day also includes a parade in the late morning and early afternoon, and a concert at the Capitol.
The fireworks generally last about 15 minutes but this year will span 35 minutes after a donation by two pyrotechnic companies valued at $750,000.
The Defense Department said it would provide a pair of M1A2 Abrams tanks and two M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles that will be parked on the Mall for the event.
There will be several flyovers, including by the Navy’s Blue Angels flight team.
The air show will also include Air Force One, a Marine One presidential helicopter, two F-35 fighter jets, two F-22 Raptor, two F/A-18 Hornets, a B2 bomber and four Apache helicopters.
The cost of the event drew increasing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers Wednesday, with several pointing to reports that the White House is distributing VIP tickets for Trump’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial to Republican donors and political appointees.
In a statement, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., objected to the diversion of money from parks fees.
“These fees are not a slush fund for this administration to use at will,” said McCollum, who chairs a House appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Interior Department. “They are meant to improve our national parks, keep them safe and protected for Americans to enjoy, and are clearly not to be used for a political rally.”
Sen. Bob Menendez, DN.J., meanwhile, called the situation “shameful.”
“But sure, let’s throw a taxpayer-funded rally so Trump can brag about the President’s military power while @SenateGOP continues to block funds to pay medical costs for 9/11 first responders,” he said sarcastically on Twitter.
Menendez was referring to legislation to renew the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has said the Republican-led chamber is working to pass the bill by August.