Thousands of people, including both supporters and opponents of Donald Trump, turned up for Independence Day celebrations in downtown Washington, DC.
The event includes a show of military might, including tanks, armored vehicles, and military plane flyovers. Trump spoke to the crowds Thursday evening.
The event, titled “A Salute to America,” drew both praise and heavy condemnation in advance.
Some spectators were excited to see the military flaunt its equipment and Trump give a speech, while others accused the president of co-opting what was supposed to be a holiday celebrating America’s history and national unity.
And despite the lower-than-expected crowds, Trump quickly hit Twitter to brag about the “tremendous” number of Patriots who came to see him speak.
Trump tweeted, “A great crowd of tremendous Patriots this evening, all the way back to the Washington Monument! #SaluteToAmerica🇺🇸”
A great crowd of tremendous Patriots this evening, all the way back to the Washington Monument! #SaluteToAmerica [1]🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nJghdfqIhX [2]
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2019 [3]
Twitter had some thoughts:
Now who thought Trump would mention crowd size?😂😂😂
— katybear9 (@katybear91) July 5, 2019 [4]
you mean this crowd
at least Mother Nature gave you the thing you like…SHOWERS pic.twitter.com/pOsDYVUanj [5]— 1%😸💰 (@1PurrcentCatone) July 5, 2019 [6]
Uuuuh, this is clearly photoshopped. It's not even raining in this picture. It was POURING during your speech and in every other image I saw of the Mall today. https://t.co/gxBMmOL62M [7]
— The CBDiva (@TheCBDiva) July 5, 2019 [8]
As fake as your inauguration crowd. 🖕🏻#SaluteToAmerica [1] #TrumpParade [9] https://t.co/DX2JJpTgLA [10]
— Jamie Steinberg (@NotYerAvgChick) July 5, 2019 [11]
What photoshopped horseshit is this? https://t.co/CM9YilzLkG [12]
— Chairohm ☯️ (@lightwaverider) July 5, 2019 [13]
If this isn't Photoshopped, I'll eat my hat. https://t.co/dz9cUiNqwB [14]
— Brian ('A' for 'Achomlishments') Reed (@BrianArthurReed) July 5, 2019 [15]