Donald Trump to revamp July 4 festivities: Report

President Trump is going full steam ahead on a plan to revamp the traditional Fourth of July celebration in Washington into a more partisan, Trump-focused event, according to the Washington Post. The newspaper, citing administration officials including interior secretary David Bernhard, reported on Friday that Trump wants to move the fireworks event from its current location on the National Mall and intends to address the nation from the steps of Lincoln Memorial.
The president, who teased the changes in February, has been receiving “regular briefings on the effort in the Oval Office.” “President Trump loves America and wants to help all Americans celebrate our Nation’s Independence on July 4,” Trump spokesman Judd Deere said in an emailed statement. “The White House, along with the National Park Service and the Department of Interior, continue to make preparations for the day’s activities.”
On February 24 Trump tweeted a “HOLD THE DATE!” that teased an event at the Lincoln Memorial “and an address by your favorite President, me!” Washington has for generations staged a non-partisan July 4 fireworks display and concert. “A Capitol Fourth” is held on the West Lawn of the US Capitol, about two miles from Trump’s proposed gathering place at the Lincoln Memorial.
The logistics of handling the July 4 festivities has been little changed for years. An official with DC mayor Muriel Bowser told the Post that the mayor had been been informed of potential changes but that the logistics and cost of the altered format hadn’t been finalised.