Trump wants to host July 4 blowout from Lincoln Memorial

WASHINGTON – The nation’s capital is home to a vast Fourth of July celebration. But President Donald Trump is planning something extra this year.

In a tweet Sunday, Trump announced he would be hosting a “Salute to America” at the Lincoln Memorial, where he would address the nation.

Washington already hosts an annual concert and fireworks over the National Mall. But the president says this year’s celebration will be one for the record books – one of the “biggest gatherings in the history of Washington.”

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

It was not clear whether the gathering has been approved by the National Parks Service, which oversees and issues permits for such events, or whether the White House had filed any paperwork. Parks service spokesman Michael Litterst said, “While no final decisions have been made, we continue to work on creating a Salute to America program that will bring Americans from all over the country together.”

The president made news last year when he proposed a military parade, which the Defense Department said would cost as much as $80 million.