In true con artist fashion, President Trump is trying to sell you your own property as if he stole your puppy and then approached you to buy this beautiful little dog that looks just like the one you’re looking for.
In this case, the puppy is Washington DC’s annual Independence Day celebration, a holiday that has been celebrated since 1777 when the nation’s capital was still located in Philadelphia, and the District of Columbia was still fetid swampland.
Trump took to Twitter this morning requesting that everyone “HOLD THE DATE!” — as if we had forgotten that the fourth of July is a national holiday celebrated every year.
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
Still stinging from the rejection of the type of pompous and bombastic grand parade of military might that he has previously proposed, Trump seemed to ignore the fact that there has been a huge annual Independence Day celebration featuring fireworks and concerts every July 4th in Washington DC on the National Mall for many years when he announced his “Salute to America.”
That Trump believes that he is the nation’s favorite president demonstrates that he has not read the polling on that subject which places his predecessor Barrack Obama as the best president in the current public’s lifetimes.
That he believes that the public is clamoring to hear him address the celebration demonstrates the extent of his self-delusion.
Meanwhile, USA Today reports that it is uncertain whether the National Park Service —which has jurisdiction over the area around the Lincoln Memorial intended for Trump’s celebration — has even authorized permits for the event.
“While no final decisions have been made, we continue to work on creating a Salute to America program that will bring Americans from all over the country together in celebration of our great nation,” National Parks Service spokesman Michael Litterst said according to USA Today.
“Asked specifically if that meant the event has not yet been approved, Litterst declined to elaborate,” the newspaper reported.
Trump’s clueless attempt at replicating and assuming credit for an event that already exists drew the derision of Democratic legislators on Twitter, who savaged the president with their sarcastic replies to the news.
If this goes well, I think we should follow it with a big party in Times Square the night before New Year’s Day. https://t.co/PiiNrcpIml
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) February 24, 2019
So, who’s gonna tell him? …. https://t.co/W1WovsxC80
— G. K. Butterfield (@GKButterfield) February 24, 2019
This is actually an excellent idea and I think the whole country should get behind a celebration on July 4. https://t.co/zsBylc4ZhR
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) February 24, 2019
One Democratic congressman, Rep. Bobby Rush, used the president’s tweet as a template for a far more pressing event to mark on your calendars.
HOLD THE DATE! @HouseDemocrats will do our constitutional duty to protect our system of checks and balances, and take action against @realDonaldTrump’s violation of the Congress’s constitutional authorities. The plan is to vote on @JoaquinCastrotx’s resolution this Tuesday. https://t.co/a2NDKjbvG0
— Bobby L. Rush (@RepBobbyRush) February 24, 2019
Now that’s something to celebrate!
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Original reporting by Brett Samuels at The Hill and by Christal Hayes at USA Today.
