Panic at White House over Trump's July 4th plans: 'Who thought this was a good idea?'

[question everything]

Source: Raw Story/MSN

Fresh off the embarrassment of a sparse crowd at last week's Great American Start Fair rally on the National Mall, Trump has now trained his focus on July Fourth — an event he's hyped as the "most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen." But behind closed White House doors, officials are quietly freaking out that nobody will show up.

According to CNN, the lackluster attendance at Trump's previous speech infuriated the president, sparking genuine fears among his staff that Independence Day will be an even more visible flop. Triple-digit heat, tightened security, and a schedule stretching well into Saturday night aren't exactly drawing cards.

(snip)

Unlike past Independence Day celebrations, attendees won't be allowed to bring coolers onto the mall during what's forecast to be a brutal 100-degree heat wave, the report notes. The massive fireworks display — which organizers are banking will set a new Guinness World Record—won't even begin until nearly midnight.

The president last week implored fans to show up and also lowered expectations, telling rally attendees, "Your favorite president will be speaking. So please show up because if we have two empty seats, you know what's going to happen? The fake news is going to say, 'He didn't fill out the arena.'"


Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/panic-at-white-house-over-trump-s-july-4th-plans-who-thought-this-was-a-good-idea/ar-AA26ZM6b

[Ritabert]

1. 100 degree heat? Foggedaboutit.

[twodogsbarking]

4. They can cool off in The Epstein Deflection Poo. Oh, I meant Pool. Oops.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

40. "Epstein Deflection Pool"

Just another example of how everything King Fecas touches turns to shit.

I am predicting a mammoth fail for his 4th of July “I love me” fest. The high temperatures plus not being able to bring coolers with drinks will really cause attendance to take a hit. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if there are crowds across the river in Virginia to watch the fireworks (and they’ll be able to have coolers, also.)

[Marcuse]

38. A rally in 100 degrees is like a rally at the height of COVID. A good turnout will depress GOP turnout in November

[Ritabert]

47. Correct.

[Bengus81]

85. I remember it well for no one being there. Remember they had a huge big screen

set up in an area outside for the massive overflow crowds. It was 100% empty.

[Ritabert]

89. The question is why anybody was there.

[johnnyplankton]

92. Trump rallies don't usually attract the best physical specimens. Any guesses on the body count for the day?

[Ritabert]

94. I hope they have plenty of EMTs present.

[underpants]

2. He made it about him not the country. MAGA on the Metro huh?

Did they even take the Metro in Jan. 6th?

These aren’t exactly mass transit type people plus “city folk” scare them.

I’d think DC residents and locals go regardless of who the POTUS is but they may stay away. Hell, I’m sure you can see the fireworks from all over.

[dave99]

8. With NO COOLERs, it will be empty at 98 degrees at 11PM

[Farmer-Rick]

29. No chairs, no coolers

You have to buy your water there because you're not supposed to bring it in. You can't bring coolers, water or chairs in.

He might have gotten a few folks who would make a midnight picnic out of it.....which actually sounds kind of fun. But if you can't bring anything in, so much for that idea.

It's like they did everything possible to suck the fun out of the event and make attendees miserable. Just having to listen to that blowhard is torture enough.

[dave99]

32. not into rallies

[orleans]

55. midnight picnic does sound kinda fun

but since people can't bring in their own food/coolers/etc their picnics might just end up being as much of a flop as we can predict: they stand around with nothing to eat b/c the ice cream melted again and the food booths are closed or the electric went down again so they can't even buy their "picnic food."

gop -- screwing people as often and as hard as they can.

[Marie Marie]

72. Yes, I had read that no chairs are allowed. Is there any seating - like are there bleachers or anything

to sit on rather than down on the grass? If not, how uncomfortable for the age of most of his base not to mention that the mosquitos seem to like having their targets down at ground level. I get most of my bites in my backyard down around my ankles and lower legs.

[PatSeg]

30. And after reading that earlier article

about the food trucks in DC, I don't think buying from these questionable people is very appealing, not to mention they are VERY expensive.


"FOR "ALL THE PEOPLE EATING FOOD RIGHT HERE? THE FOOD ISN'T BEING REFRIGERATED. THAT'S FUCKED UP. THAT'S GROSS."

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=21341158

[The Madcap]

41. The water will be $20/bottle

and pulled directly from the Reflecting Pool. Can you say "toxic algae," anyone?

[PatSeg]

46. Ha, ha!

Bringing back the Green River soft drinks!

[onenote]

53. It won't be 98 at 11 pm

It will peak at around 96-99 in the early afternoon and will have dropped to around 85 by 10 pm — maybe a bit lower if and when there is a thunderstorm. But it will be humid and miserable even at those temperatures

[cab67]

65. are there multiple options in DC or the surrounding area?

I live in Evanston, just north of Chicago, during the summer. We could (theoretically) go see the fireworks at Navy Pier near downtown Chicago, or we could see them at several other sites along the lake shore, some of them closer to where we are and with better parking.

[FSogol]

88. We often would go to Lady Bird Johnson park to watch the fireworks. That's just North

of the Pentagon. We won't bother this year. The 4th has been Trumpified.

[oberle]

67. DC is 92% Democratic, MD and northern VA are also heavily Democratic.

They won't go see that turd.

[RockCreek]

3. Fireworks timed for his Sundowning time...

Wonderful if that was on purpose.
And a clear lack of involvement in child care, EVER to time this so far past any kids' bedtimes (at least the legal kind of child care)

[Lovie777]

5. Fireworks that will set a guinness book record?.................

oh my...................

this administration tends to hire buddies that are completely incompetent, unqualified greedy SOBs.

[yardwork]

20. I hope they don't set something on fire.

[The Madcap]

43. Was thinking the same.

Unless it's the ballroom, of course.

[stage left]

44. with the exception of Trump.

And any, or all, of his minions and henchmen.

[Cheezoholic]

48. For what I saw they spent, not even close to a record. I used to be certified and did over 1k shows

They aren't even close period.

[yardwork]

100. Trump lies all the time.

[wnylib]

51. Uh-oh. Given the usual incompetence of

the people he hires, they might set DC on fire.

Hope that DC heat is not dry heat.

[usonian]

6. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT BIRTHDAY CAKE WAS LOADED.

And a gift from Iran, to celebrate the peace treaty

[Baitball Blogger]

7. This is such a karmic happening.

Trump, who from the beginning has been obsessed about crowd size, will end it with no audience at all.

[Jerry2144]

10. I do hope in July 4 the tally becomes 3

Up from two presidents who have passed on the Fourth. Though the other two were former presidents when they passed. Come on Blood Clot do your thing. Hamberder I know you’re capable of being the super hero the world needs.

[lastlib]

26. (Actually, there were three before.....

J. Adams & T. Jefferson, 1826, and J. Monroe, 1831.)

I honestly hate to think of him being the next one, and besmirching our national birthday with his wretched stench.

[Jerry2144]

63. You're right. I forgot Monroe

Sentiment is still valid

[FadedMullet]

28. Absolutely spot on. The Trump Memorial will be behind the bus station and his tomb will have astro-turf......

.......because of all the folks peeing on it.

[allegorical oracle]

56. He's a compulsive, driven man. As he described himself in the E. Jean Carroll lawsuit

when he was asked if he considered himself a star. He said, "I guess you could say that." Or his famous, "When you're a star they let you do it." He must be center stage at every event.

[pat_k]

9. In the 60's my family lived in Arlington.

I remember watching the fireworks at Washington monument. I was pretty young so memories are a bit vague, but it was both very simple, and incredibly exciting. A picnic on the grass (lots of debate about the "best" spot) then the building anticipation of the wait for fireworks to start, which I'm sure was at dusk, around 9 PM.

Midnight fireworks for something that should be a family-friendly event is absolute lunacy. And if you can't bring a cooler, doesn't sound very conducive to picnicking.

And what's with an "arena"? I don't recall any sort of formal seating, but then again, I was pretty young and may not have been aware of other happenings.

One thing that's for sure, those shows instilled a lifelong love of fireworks displays.

[Maru Kitteh]

31. Our little town held a community display on the hillside

north of town - a sea of blankets with kids and dogs, worried moms and crying babies. I remember watching the fireflies blinking on and off in lazy waves over the dampish grass in the setting sun. We ate bologna sandwiches and drank iced tea on our blanket, chatting with neighbors. I wonder now about my parents - did they know how perfect it all was? I really hope that somehow they did know. I hope they knew how those sweet, warm summer memories would sustain their little girl some 50 years later.

[pat_k]

42. I miss fireflies!!

The simplest pleasures are the best!!

I have memories of hanging out with other kids from our apartment building in Arlington, running around the playground trying to catch them -- or being on the lookout to spot the first of the night. Endless fun.

No fireflies here in Seattle.

Since it was my first school age address, it was drilled into our heads. 1817 N. Quinn St, Arlington. I just looked and the building is still there, now advertised as luxury apartments. I had little to judge by, but I think our place was pretty modest. On Google maps it looks like the swings and little playground are gone.

But it was a fun building to grow up in. Feels like I spent hours on end hanging out and playing with the gang of kids from the building.

[róisín_dubh]

78. We don't have them in England

But I was visiting my mom and then my sister in NJ and PA a few weeks back and I forgot how much I’ve missed them.

[Sequoia]

96. But you have those adorable hedgehogs.

We have none.

[Alice Kramden]

50. Such nice memories!

Thank you for sharing

[Stacey Grove]

80. Time is irrelevant to the drug-addled

[Karasu]

11. The same fucking party that clearly thinks all of his vanity projects/events are great ideas, since they never

Last edited Wed Jul 1, 2026, 05:59 PM - Edit history (1)

stop them.

[msongs]

12. even fireworks displays becoming boring and ho hum if they go on too long nt

[summer_in_TX]

77. Not to mention long fireworks shows pass a threshold of what our eyes / bodies / minds can take.

I once was at a long, long fireworks show. The first bit was wonderful. Then as it dragged on I started getting a headache and my eyes hurt because my pupils had expanded and contracted for 40 minutes or more. After so much over-stimulation I finally had to go hide in a dark place until it was completely over and we could leave.

[RandomNumbers]

97. I'm old enough and care enough about pets and wildlife to hate fireworks now.

Thankfully whatever local waste-money-and-freak-out-pets-and-wildlife show that happened last night was held an hour earlier this year than previous years. It always amazed me how they could violate the municipalities' own noise ordinance by holding it so late. At least this year it was done at a reasonable time. Well, that's if the Wednesday night thing was "it" which I doubt. Keeping my ear plugs ready for the next few nights.

Also not looking forward to my (few doors down) MAGAT neighbor's kid shooting bottle rockets into people's yards, including mine.

[twodogsbarking]

13. Thousands of people will have to work July 4th so one asshole can be accommodated.

[genxlib]

14. I spent the Millennial Y2K New Years Eve in Washington DC

It was pretty cool to see the fireworks round the monuments.

But we had been watching celebrations all day long as the sun crept around the globe. There were a bunch that were more spectacular than ours.

After it was over, our friend summed it up with two words..."Paris wins".

And we went to a party.

I can only think of that when I see all this hullabaloo.

Also, I visited DC when it was over a 100 and it is no fun. I would skip it even without the MAGA speach

[yardwork]

22. I've been on the Mall in the summer.

When I was much younger and more resilient and I've never been tempted to go back there in July.

And winter in DC is not great either.

Basically the town is built on a swamp, so it's hot and humid or cold and wet most of the year. It's very nice in the fall.

[electric_blue68]

35. I -might have- gone in July '80's or early ' 90s trackng the weather forecasts via the NY Times...

And going in low '80s, low humdity!
We know about summer humidity & 90°+ in NYC but we also have lovely low '80s low humidity. Maybe not as much bc climate change.

[question everything]

52. I wonder when he will blame the Democrats for selecting this site as he Capital where he has to spend

time.

[yardwork]

60. DC was chosen as our capital because the slave owners insisted.

The capital had to be in Virginia, not allowed to be in Philly or NYC because of the power of the wealthy slave owners.

And they weren't willing to give up their land so the capital was built on a swamp.

The slavers have caused nothing but trouble from day one.

[allegorical oracle]

58. Went to the July 4 fireworks every year I lived in DC. We were packed in almost

shoulder-to-shoulder and everybody was high. Smoke from weed was so thick that all you had to do was stand there and inhale. It was a large, happy crowd.

[yardwork]

59. That sounds like so much fun!

[TomSlick]

62. I went twice with friends while stationed with the Army in the DC area.

We had to get there hours early. We spent the afternoon eating a picnic and drinking beer. With no coolers it would have been miserable.

There will be tens of people willing to sit in the heat with no food or drink and then have to suffer through a Trump speech.

Only Trump could screw-up the Fourth of July.

[genxlib]

69. Spring break was great on another trip

Caught the cherry blossoms in peak season. The path around the tidal basin to the Jefferson Memorial is truly iconic

[FakeNoose]

27. I'll bet the outside temperature was a balmy 50 or 55 degrees on Dec. 31st (and no humidity)

This one is predicted to be 98 degrees at midnight. Yikes!
People would be nuts to go there.

[Old Crank]

15. No coolers, but

With the new Supreme Court ruling will everyone be able to carry?

[Leghorn21]

16. Oh, I do hope all the White House fuckers are experiencing terrible

sweaty days and nights with alternating panic attacks!!!

FUCKING IDIOTS

[Bluetus]

37. It could have been a good event

But the USA is over Trump.

Even the MAGA people haven't been showing up for his events for the past year. They still praise him when asked because they are fucking racists, asholes and morons. But they aren't supporting him. They aren't going out to sweat in teh hot sun to hear him recount all of the same personal grievances for the 500th time.

We know that. The question is why the WH staff is in panic only now? Haven't they been paying any attenmtion? I guess the ferris wheel in an otherwise deserted park last week was a dose of reality they aren't often allowed to process..

F them all. :et's see Trump in an epic fail. But is is a shame to do this to the nation on the 250th. This could have been uplifting for all.

[Old Crank]

17. A brother in law

Lives near DC. Days it's too hot and muggy for people to go to his failure fair.
The thong with fireworks is you can see big shows from a good distance and not have to deal with crowds, pat downs and traffic. Not to mention gouging for beverages and food.

[yardwork]

23. Not allowed to bring on anything to eat.

Means anyone there is dependent on the vendors selling $30 turkey legs.

[DrFunkenstein]

18. Just as Fake News as The Russia-Russia-Russia Story

Which is to say, completely true.

[Orrex]

19. Or maybe he could just fucking die already.

[dalton99a]

21. Let him talk until he drops

[Justice matters.]

25. in 100 degrees

the "hottest country" indeed...

(not really, but the climate-change denier-in-chief should experience his karma right there)

[Seinan Sensei]

75. Maybe we can get him to dance, also

Faster!
Dance faster!
Go, Donnie, go!

[Botany]

82. Yes!

And the 4th really could be a true Independence Day.

Get up there Donny in 100 F heat and speak.

[Exp]

24. 'Please clap'... eom

[Srkdqltr]

33. What happened to all of trumps faithful followers? I really expected to see more.

[FakeNoose]

34. He stopped paying them to show up

He really thought they were coming to those rallies to see HIM!

[Srkdqltr]

36. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[BHDem53]

39. I seriously doubt Obama or Biden will be speaking.

[Grokenstein]

45. My favorite president will be speaking? No, I don't believe Obama will be there.

[pat_k]

61. The Obama center is hosting "The People's 4th, ," a free public community celebration, and part of the center's ....

..."You are America" series.

You Are America
https://www.obama.org/programs/presidential-center/you-are-america/
(emphasis is mine)

Join us at the newest civic cultural destination on the South Side of Chicago for a summer series of talks, films, and community events marking this historic milestone. From “We the People” to "We shall overcome" to “Yes We Can” — we decide what’s next.

The People's Fourth
Spend July 4 outside at the Obama Presidential Center, rooted in the energy of the South Side. As the start of the You Are America series, this afternoon program brings together live music, performances, and activities across the John Lewis Plaza. DJ Hot Rod, Mucca Pazza, and Melody Angel perform throughout the day, with a mix of sets and transitions between acts. Whether you come with friends, family, or on your own, it’s an easy way to be part of the day and share time with others.

Sat, Jul 04 • 2:00pm - 7:00pm
John Lewis Plaza
The campus is open to public on July 4 and activities are first-come, first-served. Please note Museum admission is not included.

Mark Bradford: Layers of America
Learn about Mark Bradford’s artistic practice, his commissioned artwork on campus, and his materially driven approach to abstraction. The discussion will be moderated by Louise Bernard, Founding Director of the Obama Presidential Center Museum.

Tue, Jul 07 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Elie Wiesel Auditorium
Admission $40

House Music on the Plaza
Experience the heartbeat of Chicago at our plaza house music celebration! Born in the underground clubs of our city, House music is a global phenomenon that celebrates unity, freedom, and rhythmic innovation—born right here in Chicago.

Be a part of this rare sonic journey as DJ Lady D and Jesse De La Pena perform back-to-back sets, bringing Chicago house music to the campus. Each set runs for one hour, with a transition between artists.

Dance, lounge, or discover the vibe at your own pace. We’ll close the session with a final group dance, paying tribute to one of our city's greatest gifts to music.

Fri, Jul 10 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm
John Lewis Plaza
House Music on the Plaza is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required to attend. Please note Museum admission is not included in this experience.

Events continue throughout July and into August that make me wish I still lived in the city of my birth, Chicago!!

[ReRe]

49. And C-Span will be there to record the evidence! n/t

[johnnyfins]

54. I just like: " infuriated the president "

Anything that causes the orange shitgibbon discomfort, makes me grin.

[BigmanPigman]

57. Philadelphia has ALWAYS had great fireworks...

For the city's 300th birthday in 1983 there was non-stop celebrations for many days. Fireworks were all over the place. It was a VERY, VERY big deal.

I love fireworks and they had them on MY birthday(July 3rd). I'm almost a "Yankee Doodle Dandy, born on the 3rd of July".

I hate my country now and I blame the GOP for destroying the soul of one of the most patriotic people in the USA, me! Brain dead, purposely ignorant voting citizens (Raygunites) put us here and I HATE them for ruining MY country!!!!! I blame directly them for killing MY country!!!!! I do not forgive and forget, I get even and I am driven by my anger. It gives me strength to push through and fight theses traitors.
The US Constitutions allows for convicted traitors to be executed. THAT is what I want to make happen. Hang tRump from the nearest flag pole or bury him in an unmarked grave in his ballroom, or maybe show it live streamed on TV. The rating revenues alone should make up for about 25% of taxpayers money grifted by Team tRump. Another way to generate revenue would be for a very public burial site where people may openly piss on his grave for $5.

[littlemissmartypants]

64. I'm concerned that he may start a fire with his so-called world record fireworks.

[Blumancru]

66. He will probably be on

An I.V. drip of Diet Coke.
Listen carefully, heat stroke. You’ve got one job to do……

[Wonder Why]

68. If he dies from the heat, I'll be there but only if lunch is provided.

Paraphrase of Christmas Carol chapter 4

[aggiesal]

70. Panic at the White House, sounds like a movie title for this administration. n/t

[calimary]

71. "...your favorite president" ???

Mine would be Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and then maybe going back all the way to JFK.

I still think Al Gore would have been good, too.

[dave99]

73. James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924 - December 29, 2024)

was an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party, Carter served as the 76th governor of Georgia from 1971 to 1975 and in the Georgia State Senate from 1963 to 1967. He lived longer than any other president in US history, reaching age 100.

[calimary]

74. Now THERE'S a man who really believed in serving his country!

I think Jimmy Carter got a raw deal, especially with all the ad guys and other communications “specialists” who piled in for Reagan like there was no tomorrow.

I think history will be a lot kinder to Jimmy Carter than others have been. He sure worked hard. And he took a lot of shit from those who can lob bombs at him from the safety and comfort of their living rooms. Proud to say I voted for him, both presidential cycles.

[William Seger]

79. Reagan successfully blamed Carter for worldwide inflation caused by a greedy OPEC (nt)

[dave99]

81. Reagan was a known liar then

he was a Republican

[Sneederbunk]

76. Put a tarp over him.

[raccoon]

83. Among his other endearing qualities, Trump has absolutely no consideration for anyone else.

[IronLionZion]

84. The heat is an act of God since climate change is a liberal hoax

so God is ruining the MAGA plans this summer. Smiting and wrath!

[Klondike Kat]

86. Most shitshows are unforgettable

so he's not wrong in that respect.

[Botany]

87. Talk to till you drop Donny.

Go for it motherfucker.

[Prairie Gates]

90. I watched DC fireworks from Arlington, maybe 20+ years ago

We were visiting another couple (pre-kids) who lived there. We watched from a park in Arlington near the Iwo Jima statue - I don't really remember the details since I'm not from there. I do remember this: 1) there were thousands of people there picnicking; it was hard to find a spot to set up; 2) they wouldn't let us bring in any alcohol! They were literally checking coolers and refusing entry if you had beer or wine. I found this shocking and infantilizing - coming from NYC at the time where having a sophisticated wine program was part of the Picnics Olympics for various Central Park events. We had bought two bottles of wine at the Whole Foods over there in Arlington and we ended up pretty much chugging them in a parking lot before we went to the event. This was def during W Bush time, maybe 2005?

[Kid Berwyn]

91. This guy.

[WinningAgain]

93. Happy 250th birthday America!

[RainCaster]

95. Favorite President - is Obama going to be there?

Asking for the world.

[Hassler]

98. It would be a real shame if global warming

Stomped on Dozing Donnie's dick on Independence Day.

[33taw]

99. Did they expect thousands to attend for 16 days?

Have the planners ever been to a state fair? This is the lamest "fair" I have ever seen.