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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He pays tribute to NASA astronauts planting the American flag on the moon 50 years ago.
US president praises the military, law enforcement and the suffragette and civil rights movements.
Says in a message to young Americans across the country that now is the time to join the US military: "You should do it."
Now praising the US Coastguard and its achievements.
Some lengthy pauses from the crowd, who seem unsure of when to begin applauding after Trump finishes speaking.
Trump pays tribute to the US air force before a military band strikes up and a bomber flies over crowds in Washington during a fly over.
He says: "The skies belong to the United States of America."
Trump, Melania and Pence are now standing while Battle Hymn of the Republic is played.
And that is all from Trump. His speech is over, and, unusually, he stuck to script.
Here is a roundup of the speech from Associated Press
President Donald Trump stuck with a patriotic message during his Fourth of July "Salute to America" speech, steering clear of the political rhetoric many had expected.
Trump hailed an eclectic mix of history's heroes, from the armed forces, space, civil rights and other endeavors of American life. He largely adhered to his script, avoiding diversions into his agenda or re-election campaign.
Attendees were treated to flyovers by Coast Guard helicopters, Air Force F-22 fighters, Marine V-22 Osprey helicopters and other military aircraft.
The event ended with a flyover by the Navy's Blue Angels aerobatics team.
Trump was the first president in nearly seven decades to address a crowd at the National Mall on Independence Day.
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