Summary
Highlights
Donald Trump's July 4th speech was delayed by a storm, which he controversially compared to the D-Day landings, stating he would make the 'sacrifice' to deliver the speech despite the weather, drawing criticism for the 'pathetic' comparison.
During his speech, Trump struggled to complete sentences, stating that America 'built the empire of liberty' and 'tamed the wilderness.' He continued to 'glitch' throughout, having difficulty with basic articulation.
Despite Trump's claims of 150,000 or even 375,000 attendees, photos revealed a very small crowd with many empty seats, indicating a 'dismal' turnout.
Trump made unsubstantiated claims about the US economy, including $19 trillion invested and record 401ks, which the crowd appeared uninterested in. He then declared communism the biggest threat to the country, vowing to 'smoke out' communists as it 'never worked and it never will work.'
In a 'deranged' segment, Trump suggested he was serving a 'third term' and falsely claimed to have 'wiped out' Iran and its military, asserting it no longer existed.
Trump stated the US has 'equal justice under the law,' immediately contradicting himself by mentioning his own 'unfair treatment.' He then pointed to flags, claiming they were original American flags from when the British 'waved the white flag of surrender at Yorktown,' despite historical inaccuracies.
While waiting for his delayed speech, Trump was shown watching Fox News pundits who relayed his message, reinforcing his comparison of giving the speech in bad weather to the D-Day landings, highlighting what was seen as 'stolen valor.'
During the delay, a 'creepy message straight out of 1984' was played on loudspeakers, stating that 'President Donald J. Trump's direction' led to the reopening of gates and that the American people 'deserve a celebration worthy of our nation's historic 250th birthday. A little rain will never diminish our pride, our patriotism...'
Trump further justified continuing the event despite the storm by saying 'storms bring luck' and comparing it to veterans who 'went through hellfire,' implying his speech was a similar act of perseverance.