Washington, D.C. has long been a center of Fourth of July activities. Fireworks on the mall, concerts, parades and the like. Washington is to the Fourth as Times Square is to New Years Eve.

So, it was odd when Donald Trump tweeted this:

HOLD THE DATE! We will be having one of the biggest gatherings in the history of Washington, D.C., on July 4th. It will be called “A Salute To America” and will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. Major fireworks display, entertainment and an address by your favorite President, me! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019

Wait, what? None of this sounds new, including the brag. Trump initially proposed a military parade on the Fourth. That idea was roundly panned as seeming dictator-ish. But then came the cost, a staggering $92 million and suddenly the plan was shelved.

And now he’s back to fireworks and entertainment, plus Trump. We smell a campaign rally.

So here's the thing…

– There's already fireworks on the National Mall

– There's already entertainment at the Capitol

Is this gonna, like, compete with A Capitol Fourth, or is this gonna be earlier in the day? Or is Trump gonna speak from the Lincoln before the fireworks? https://t.co/CpSG9mSthI — Derek Wallbank (@dwallbank) February 24, 2019

This reads to me like Trump elbowing out the 40 year tradition of PBS’s “A Capitol Fourth” concert and fireworks, in order to turn it into a Trump campaign event.



Expect to see more of this in the future. For Trump, the entire US government is a theatrical set for his campaign. https://t.co/ghyufdpxbq — Christina Wilkie (@christinawilkie) February 24, 2019

Want to watch fireworks in Washington on the Fourth? Below is 2014.

Here’s a history of the Fourth in Washington from PBS which has broadcast celebrations since 1980.

Seems like the only change is the addition of Trump.