Trump news – live: President delivers July Fourth speech as protests and storms threaten to overshadow event
Follow the latest updates from Washington
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Donald Trump has delivered a speech at his “Salute to America” event in Washington DC, as the country celebrates Independence Day.
Earlier in the day on Thursday, he pleaded for people to attend his Fourth of July celebration amid fears of a low turnout and concerns that the heavy tanks on display could damage the Lincoln Memorial.
A new Morning Consult poll revealed the president to be losing support in key states he won in 2016, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Ohio and Florida, as his Republican opponent Justin Amash announces his resignation from the GOP in opposition to Mr Trump's "dehumanising rhetoric".
Undeterred, the president has been on angry form on Twitter, hitting out at migrants over reports of squalid conditions in US border detention centres and warning Iran against making threats by issuing one of his own: “They can come back to bite you.”
Please allow a moment for our liveblog to load
Despite the minor humiliation of the aforementioned advertising gaff, the Trump administration is far outpacing the fundraising efforts of Barack Obama's team when the 44th president was seeking a second term back in 2012.
Obama's former veep, Joe Biden, just secured $21.5m (£17.1m) for his own bid in the second quarter, with Pete Buttigieg raking in an impressive $24.8m (£19.7m) but neither man is close to the $105m (£83.5m) the Trump camp just reported.
Here's Melissa Blake for Indy Voices on how disgust over Trump's "Salute to America" means she will be celebrating the Fourth of July differently this year.
Also for Indy Voices, here's Lauren Duca on the US-Mexico detention centres.
Trump begins his Independence Day by yammering on about the census, attempting to place more pressure on his Commerce and Justice departments to force through the added question despite opposition from the Supreme Court and resignation from members of his own administration like Wilbur Ross.
Only then does he wish the nation a Happy Fourth.
As it contemplated military action against Iran last month, the Trump administration opened the door to virtually every legal authority at its disposal to justify the attack, from tying Tehran to al-Qaeda to the president promising he would not involve American ground troops and declaring that any skirmish "wouldn’t last very long", The Washington Post reports.
Paediatrician Dolly Lucio Sevier recently visited a US Border Patrol detention centre in McAllen, Texas, and is the latest to come forward with a horror story about the appalling conditions she found migrants living under.
Here's Jon Sharman with the latest on the humanitarian crisis..
Mystery continues to surround vice president Mike Pence's sudden cancellation of an appearance in New Hampshire on Tuesday night to return to the White House. No explanation appears forthcoming.
For Americans seeking to avert their eyes from the president's Washington vanity project on Independence Day, there are any number of other events taking place in cities across the States, from the famed Macy's fireworks show over the East River in New York to the Boston Pops Orchestra performing on the shores of the Charles River and naturalisation ceremonies for new citizens taking place at venues like the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia and George Washington's plantation at Mount Vernon, Virginia.
Here's a history of one of America's weirdest Fourth of July customs: the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island.
The president's son, Don Jr, has attempted to wade into the controversy surrounding Nike's withdrawal of Fourth of July trainers after athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick argued the incorporation of the original Betsy Ross stars-and-stripes flag into the design provided an unwelcome reminder of slavery.
But Jr's spoof suggestion the sportswear brand opt for the Soviet hammer and sickle instead backfired badly when the majority decided they actually genuinely liked them.
Here's Lowenna Waters for Indy100.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments