President Donald Trump touted the crowds in Washington, D.C., who came to celebrate the United States’ 250th Independence Day on Saturday afternoon while wishing the nation a happy Fourth of July ahead of an address tonight.
Trump also downplayed the heat wave that started blanketing the East Coast earlier in the week, which prompted many America 250 events to be canceled on both Friday and Saturday.
“Despite the heat, which isn’t as bad as predicted, the crowds in D.C. are INCREDIBLE!” Trump said in a Truth Social post. “The love of the Country has never been stronger!”
Washington remained under an “Extreme Heat Warning” throughout Saturday, and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning was issued late in the afternoon as humidity increased the chance of thunderstorms. The National Weather Service forecasted heat index values throughout the day could reach 110 degrees, and is now predicting an 80% chance of precipitation Saturday night.
“In light of the current conditions, Freedom 250, United States Park Police, National Park Service, the United States Secret Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency have coordinated closely to adjust event timing and expand cooling resources, water stations, and medical support across the grounds,” America 250 organizers said in a statement about canceling some of the events earlier on Saturday. “The safety and well-being of every guest remains our top priority as we celebrate this historic 250th Independence Day.”
Trump praised the many flyovers that occurred throughout the day, touting the “great pilots” and “great equipment” while also saying he will begin Saturday night’s speech at around 10:00 p.m.
HEAT WAVE CANCELS SOME DC INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
He also provided an update on the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool in the post, saying it “looks great, despite all it went through with the Vandal Thugs” and that it will be drained and fixed after the weekend. A District of Columbia grand jury indicted a former U.S. Olympian on Thursday for allegedly vandalizing the pool last month, which has emerged as a top story ahead of America 250.
Inclement weather was also forecast ahead of last month’s UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House, but no severe weather affected the fights.
