With tanks and fighter planes, Donald Trump celebrates US military in July 4 salute, defying critics
- Against backdrop of military vehicles, US leader was first president in nearly 70 years to address crowd at National Mall
- Trump is defensive over cost of event and accusations he is ‘hijacking’ celebration to boost 2020 campaign
With tanks on display and planes flying overhead, US President Donald Trump praised the military and urged young people to join the armed forces on Thursday in a celebration of Independence Day that critics said the president had politicised.
Trump, a Republican who admired flashy displays of national pride and military strength in France, dismissed concerns ahead of the ceremony about the expense and militaristic overtones of the event outside the 97-year-old Lincoln Memorial, a symbol of national unity.
“Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. It is its strongest now,” Trump said from a platform in front of the famous memorial, echoing a theme he uses at campaign rallies.
He spoke positively about the military, and with well-planned choreography, told stories about each branch to introduce separate flyovers of military aircraft.
“For over 65 years, no enemy Air Force has managed to kill a single American soldier. Because the skies belong to the United States of America,” he said.
The speech was to be followed by a concert on the US Capitol lawn at the opposite end of the National Mall and fireworks, weather permitting.