Trump news – live: President delivers July Fourth speech as protests and storms threaten to overshadow event
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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.”
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The rain has arrived at the National Mall in Washington, forcing the crowds to take cover as they wait to hear Trump speak at the "Salute to America" event in a couple of hours.
The US National Weather Service has a warning for flash flooding in place until 8pm local time today.
(Pictures by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)
A Bradley Fighting Vehicle is seen as people continue to gather for the "Salute to America" event at the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall despite the rain.
(Nicholas Kamm/AFP)
(Nicholas Kamm/AFP)
Here's a quick explainer on why America celebrates the Fourth of July:
A weather update here from the US president himself as he prepares to give his speech in just over 40 minutes:
Images appear to show a man being detained by members of the US Secret Service after a national flag was set alight in front of the White House.
In another picture a police officer can be seen attempting to put out the flames in front of a group of demonstrators.
(Eric Thayer/REUTERS)
(Eric Thayer/REUTERS)
(Alex Wong/Getty Images)
A number of anti- and pro-Trump supporters have clashed ahead of the US president's speech, which will be taking place shortly.
A demonstrator shouts at another in front of the White House during a protest (REUTERS/Eric Thayer)
Anti and pro Trump supporters argue on the National Mall (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)
Anti and pro Trump supporters argue on the National Mall as they wait for the "Salute to America" event (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP)
Demonstrators scuffle in front of the White House (Eric Thayer/REUTERS)
Trump has arrived with First Lady Melania Trump.
(AP/Andrew Harnik)
To applause and cheers from the crowd, he says: “Americans love our freedom, and no one will ever take it away from us."
Trump adds: "Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before, it is its strongest now", which is followed by chants of "USA" from the crowds.
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