President Donald Trump said Monday that he will hold a rally on the National Mall during America’s 250th anniversary celebration on the Fourth of July.
“On July 4th, at The Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, in beautiful and safe Washington D.C., we are going to host the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all, a ‘TRIBUTE TO AMERICA,’” Trump wrote on social media. “Starting at 7 P.M. EST, this HUGE Celebration will honor our Country’s People, Spirit, Strength, Resolve and Triumphs.”
The rally will be held alongside the anniversary celebration, Trump said. He said the event will include performances from military bands and orchestras.
Trump’s plan to hold a political rally departs from the tradition of the White House treating Fourth of July celebrations as nonpartisan events that commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, according to UPI.
The announcement comes the day after the White House served as the backdrop for a UFC pay-per-view event Sunday. The fights, held on Trump’s 80th birthday, drew criticism for using the White House to promote a private company in which the president has invested. The Trump family also sold gold coins for up to $12,000 during Sunday’s events on the South Lawn of the White House.
Trump has also announced that he will serve as the host for the “Great American State Fair,” which will begin later this month. The White House scrapped a concert that was meant to be part of the event after several artists backed out.