President Donald Trump delivered an unusually uncontroversial speech on Independence Day during his “Salute to America” event marking July 4 and largely celebrating U.S. armed forces.
In a 45-minute speech highlighted by multiple flyovers, Trump mainly commended American armed forces, flanked by supporters and Pentagon officials.
“That same American spirit that emboldened our founders has kept us strong throughout our history. To this day that spirit runs through the veins of every American patriot. It lives on in each and every one of you here today,” Trump said.
“It is the spirit, daring and defiance, excellence and adventure, courage and confidence, loyalty and love that built this country into the most exceptional nation in the history of the world, and our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. it is its strongest now,” he continued.
With military aircraft flying above him and military tanks standing near, The Hill writes, Trump got his wish for a military celebration fulfilled. As a result, the celebration was criticized by Democrats and officials who considered the militarization of the parade as well as its cost inappropriate for the Fourth of July.
Only a day prior to the parade, reports revealed that the “Salute to America” event will cost $2.5 million, which was reallocated from the National Park Service from its budget intended for infrastructure maintenance.
Trump made no mention of such complaints, but rather praised the “men and women willing to defend” American freedom, whose future, he said, rests on their shoulders.
“Now is the chance to join our military and make a truly great statement in life, and you should do it,” he said in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
The President also applauded law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other border patrol groups, despite the criticism they have received lately.
The event was not without controversy, however. An anti-Trump group, called Code Pink, brought a large “Baby Trump” balloon as well as a large statue meant to depict Trump tweeting on the toilet. Protesters likewise burned the U.S. flag in front of the White House.
In his speech, Trump also promised to return the U.S. on the moon and put a man on Mars for the first time ever, touting the creation of a new Space Force for that purpose. “Someday soon we will plant the American flag on Mars, it’s happening,” he promised.
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