Trump’s “Salute to America” the Right Thing and the Right Time

In the days leading up to the White House-planned Independence Day “Salute to America” on the National Mall, there was a loud hue and cry from the media and the left about the event. Critics lamented the tanks that were brought in for display and the shifting of Park Service dollars to pay for events on or near the Mall.

It appears to have been well-attended. And it was watched on television by those who could find it.

Most importantly, and undoubtedly a shock to critics, the event was apolitical.

In a Fox News commentary, Project 21 member Deroy Murdock notes how all of the hyperbole in the days leading up to the Salute made the left and media look downright silly. He writes:

The left overpromised. The President under-delivered.

Before Donald J. Trump’s July 4 Salute to America, his foes described this event as, at best, a parade of partisanship, narcissism, racism and divisiveness. At worst, they billed it as a pageant of despotism or a prelude to martial law…

By 7:32 p.m., when Trump finished speaking at the Lincoln Memorial, he had reduced these hyperventilated warnings into flaccid windsocks. And those who had screamed from the rooftops looked like rejects from Klown Kollege.

Project 21 member Emery McClendon feels the “Salute to America” served a very important purpose for those who were able to take part in it or watch it. It’s something he hopes will continue. Emery writes:

Along with countless others, I agree that last week’s expanded Independence Day celebration in Washington, which President Trump dubbed a “Salute to America,” was a very monumental event.

And it took place at a critical time in our nation’s history.

The timing of our President in trying to bring this apolitical event to fruition is incredibly important.

Americans have become too divided. I pray it is not too late.

This was an event that should have united Americans and given us all a renewed sense of patriotism. But the media and others who bear ill-will toward our President and his supporters seemed willing to do everything they could to smear the celebration before it even got out of the planning stages.

This is an event that should have been televised on every major television network and given the opportunity to be admired by all Americans – regardless of their political leanings.

It didn’t happen because many of the media outlets chose to ignore the celebration altogether. Those that did cover it, like CNN, cut away for commercials and commentary that was disrespectful during a salute to our military.

As a result, many of our citizens missed a great opportunity to learn about our nation’s history, its greatness and the important role that many Americans played throughout our nation’s history – including the role of those who have served and are still serving in our armed forces to defend our freedom and the American Dream.

We need more events like the “Salute to America” to rebuild our love of God and country. We are finding ourselves lacking when it comes to the history of our nation and the knowledge of our founding principles. People need to be reminded, especially those who are younger and may never have properly learned this history at all.

It is time for all of us to reflect on what it means to be American. Our President, and those involved with planning this event, have given us a glimpse of why we should be proud of our country.

It’s our duty to celebrate and give a united salute: To America! And not just this year, but every year.

The entire “Salute to America” can be seen here.



The National Center for Public Policy Research is a communications and research foundation supportive of a strong national defense and dedicated to providing free market solutions to today’s public policy problems. We believe that the principles of a free market, individual liberty and personal responsibility provide the greatest hope for meeting the challenges facing America in the 21st century.