WASHINGTON — It wasn’t a one-time deal.
President Donald Trump says he’s planning a repeat of the “Salute to America” Fourth of July festivities that included a speech by him on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Trump says it was "a wonderful day for all Americans" and that, "based on its tremendous successes," his administration has "made the decision to do it again next year and maybe we can say for the foreseeable future."
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly overhead as people gather on the National Mall for the "Salute to America" Fourth of July event with U.S. President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., on July 4, 2019. (Pandrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) President Donald Trump, standing with first lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper, and others, watch as the US Navy Blue Angels flyover during an Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, Thursday, July 4, 2019. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, Pool) The Washington Monument is visible as the US Navy Blue Angels flyover at the conclusion of President Donald Trump's Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Air Force one flies over the National Mall ahead of President Trump's speech during Fourth of July festivities on July 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump is holding a "Salute to America" celebration on the National Mall on Independence Day this year with musical performances, a military flyover, and fireworks. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 04: People cheer during a fly over on the National Mall during President Donald Trump's speech during Fourth of July festivities on July 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump is holding a "Salute to America" celebration on the National Mall on Independence Day this year with musical performances, a military flyover, and fireworks. (Photo by Stephanie Keith/Getty Images) A flyover of the new Marine One VH-92, center, and Osprey's on the mall on July 04, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump is holding a "Salute to America" celebration on the National Mall on Independence Day this year with musical performances, a military flyover, and fireworks. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images) The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly overhead as people gather on the National Mall during the "Salute to America" Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images) The Washington Monument is visible as the US Navy Blue Angels flyover at the conclusion of President Donald Trump's Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The Blue Angels (six F-18s) fly overhead as people gather on the National Mall during the "Salute to America" Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (PANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images) US President Donald Trump (C), alongside acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper (R) and the Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, watch as a B-2 Spirit (C) and two F-22s fly overhead during the "Salute to America" Fourth of July event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) Audience members photograph a flyover in front of a Bradley Fighting Vehicle as President Donald Trump speaks during an Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) U.S. Air Force aircraft B-2 and two F-22 fly overhead as President Donald Trump speaks during an Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) U.S. Coast Guard aircraft MH-60 and a C-130 fly over as President Donald Trump speaks during an Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) The U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon arrives to perform during an Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) U.S. Army AH-64 aircraft fly overhead as President Donald Trump speaks during an Independence Day celebration in front of the Lincoln Memorial, Thursday, July 4, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) A man takes a photo near an armored military vehicle during the Fourth of July parade in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. Tanks in the heart of Washington, fighter jets screaming overhead, and a speech from the Lincoln Memorial: President Donald Trump has promised the "show of a lifetime" Thursday as he turns the Fourth of July into a personal primetime extravaganza. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images) U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters fly overhead during the "Salute to America" Fourth of July event with US President Donald Trump at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images) A U.S. Army Bradley Fighting Vehicle is seen during a fireworks display that followed the "Salute to America" ceremony in front of the Lincoln Memorial, on July 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. The presentation featured armored vehicles on display, a flyover by Air Force One, and several flyovers by other military aircraft. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images) Trump’s decision to speak at the event drew protesters who objected to the inclusion of military equipment and what they saw as his co-opting of the holiday.
RELATED The blunder prompted #RevolutionaryWarAirportStories and #TrumpSpeechFail to trend on Twitter as users pointed out the Wright Brothers’ first successful flight was in 1903. Trump is calling the event "remarkable" and praising the "incredible, big, beautiful crowds" it drew despite the rain.
Trump says, “We celebrated freedom in all of its magnificence.”