Trump speaks at Mount Rushmore
Trump speaks at Mount Rushmore
President Donald Trump kicked off a weekend of celebrations for America's 250th birthday with a speech at Mount Rushmore on Friday, according to NBC News. The event marked the beginning of a series of festivities across the United States, including a "Salute to America" fireworks display on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Trump's speech at Mount Rushmore was attended by thousands of people, despite extreme heat and weather conditions that forced the event to be temporarily halted. The president spoke about American exceptionalism, praising the country's history and arguing that no other nation had achieved as much as the United States.
Media additions
In addition to the Mount Rushmore event, other celebrations took place across the United States, including a giant state fair on the National Mall, a flyover of fighter jets, and a concert featuring Patti LaBelle and other performers, as reported by Abc7chicago. The festivities will culminate in a massive fireworks display on the National Mall on Saturday.
However, the celebrations have also been marred by extreme heat, with temperatures soaring to record highs in many parts of the country. The heat has forced the cancellation of some events, including an Independence Day parade in Washington.
On Saturday, Trump will deliver another speech at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Before the fireworks display. The event is expected to be attended by thousands of people and will feature a range of performances and activities.
The "Salute to America" celebration has been designated as a "National Special Security Event," which allows the Department of Homeland Security to designate the Secret Service as the lead agency securing the event and helps ensure coordination among the FBI, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and dozens of state, local, and federal agencies, according to NBC News.
Miles of fencing surround the Mall, and dozens of street closures and roadblocks will make travel downtown nearly impossible. There will be TSA-style security greeting the public at both the Great American State Fair and the Salute to America sites, both delayed in their opening due to the oppressive heat.
During a security briefing, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Washington field office, Darren Cox, told reporters authorities are "not tracking any credible threats." U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the same at an unrelated media event, according to NBC News.
Trump's speech at Mount Rushmore was preceded by a video posted on social media depicting a gilded Mount Rushmore with his face chiseled into the national memorial next to Abraham Lincoln, as reported by Yahoo News. The White House earlier suggested Trump could be an "addition" to the mountain where the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Theodore Roosevelt are also etched.
Trump has previously mused about putting his likeness on the granite peak, calling it a "good idea" on social media in 2020. However, there has been no significant movement toward making that a reality, according to ABC News.
The Mount Rushmore festivities also include performances by military bands and tributes to the Armed Services. It will culminate in a large fireworks display, the first fireworks show at the national memorial in years, according to NBC News.
Trump last spoke at Mount Rushmore in 2020, during his first term, at a time when Americans were grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. This year will mark the first fireworks display at the national memorial in six years, according to NBC News.
