Trump keeps July 4 celebrations in Washington despite pandemic

Text by: RFI Follow

After Mount Rushmore this Friday, Donald Trump will preside over the July 4 celebrations in Washington this Saturday. Event called Salute to America, "Hi to America". Despite protests from the DC mayor and the health crisis, the White House has ruled out any cancellations.

Publicity

With our correspondent in New York,  Loubna Anaki

The event will be broadcast this Saturday evening on television. National Day celebrations will take place in the National Mall with the participation of 1,700 soldiers. Military planes will fly over the capital and fireworks will close the evening. "  The biggest fireworks display in DC,  " promises Donald Trump on Twitter.

The President will deliver a speech to pay tribute to the American military and heritage, according to the White House. 

Donald Trump has attracted a lot of criticism, notably from the mayor of Washington who alerted to the risks of these celebrations as the cases of coronavirus continue to increase in the country . Muriel Bowser, who has canceled all of the usual parades for July 4 in the city of Washington, has no power to cancel events organized by the White House. She called on the residents of the city to stay at home and to follow the distancing instructions.

In response to criticism, the White House said that 300,000 masks would be distributed.

This is the second year in a row that Donald Trump has organized this event. Last year, some accused him of recovering a national holiday to make it a campaign rally. The cost of the celebrations had also been controversial: at least $ 13 million.

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• United States
• Donald trump
• Coronavirus

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