The Washington Post editorial board is warning Americans not to be suckered by Trump’s undemocratic “banana republic” 4th of July party.
Washington Post Warns People Not To Be Conned By Trump on the 4th of July
The Post editorial board wrote:
Equally, if not more troubling, is his insistence on a display of military might that will include a flyover of warplanes and the stationing of tanks or other armored military vehicles on the streets of the capital. What this will cost the Defense Department and the National Parks Service is anyone’s guess. (Officials have refused comment.) But the question of expense pales in comparison with the message that will be sent by a gaudy display of military hardware that is more in keeping with a banana republic than the world’s oldest democracy.
Administration officials say the celebration will be bigger and better than before, with more music and a longer fireworks display. But Americans shouldn’t be lured by the trappings or the spectacle or the rhetoric of Mr. Trump. Instead, like our letter writers, they should claim the day for values embraced by the founders: freedom, tolerance and respect for all.
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If the polling is accurate, most Americans don’t know that Trump is giving a speech on the 4th of July, and those who do know, aren’t going to watch it.
Given Trump’s lack of popularity, one should expect that attendance at the National Mall will be lower than usual for the fireworks display. Trump has taken a traditionally non-partisan celebration and made it partisan. The end result is likely to be fewer people in attendance.
The Post was correct to issue a warning. Since most people don’t know about Trump’s plans, those who were expecting a normal 4th of July celebration could be roped into a Trump con.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
