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Trump hosts 4 July event at White House amid Covid-19 spike Fourth of July: Trump vows to defeat 'radical left' in Independence Day speech
(about 3 hours later)
US President Donald Trump is hosting an event at the White House to mark 4 July, as the country reels from a surge in Covid-19 cases. US President Donald Trump has used a 4 July address to tout the country's "progress" against Covid-19, despite a nationwide spike in cases.
The Independence Day gathering in Washington DC saw military flyovers, fireworks and a speech by Mr Trump. Amid criticism of his handling of the pandemic, he said China - where the virus originated - must be "held fully accountable".
The guests include hundreds of medics who have been working through the Covid-19 epidemic. The president also berated protesters who toppled monuments of US leaders at recent anti-racism protests.
Thousands have gathered outside the White House, despite the city's mayor highlighting the health risks. "Their goal is demolition," he declared.
Earlier, Mr Trump said the US was on its way to a "tremendous victory" over the "terrible plague from China". In a combative tone that echoed his Friday night speech at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, the president pledged to defeat the "radical left, the Marxists, the anarchists, the agitators, the looters".
His upbeat assessment was at odds with the views of health officials, who have expressed concern about a recent spike in infections in western and southern states. He spoke from the White House lawn, flanked by his wife Melania, to a crowd that included US soldiers and frontline medical staff.
What's the latest on the virus in the US? Praising "our nation's scientific brilliance," Mr Trump said the US "will likely have a therapeutic and/or vaccine solution long before the end of the year".
The US daily tally of coronavirus infections hit a new record of 52,300 on Friday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned in June that scientists may never be able to create an effective vaccine against the coronavirus, observing: "The estimate is we may have a vaccine within one year. If accelerated, it could be even less than that, but by a couple of months. That's what scientists are saying."
Florida, where the outbreak is especially acute, recorded 11,458 new confirmed cases on Saturday. The US has the world's highest number of coronavirus deaths and infections, and confirmed more than 43,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours on Saturday, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. Florida, where the outbreak is especially acute, saw 11,458 new cases.
Many 4 July events have been cancelled on public health grounds, with beaches in Florida and California closed, city parades cancelled and firework displays curtailed. The president made no reference to the nearly 130,000 US deaths linked to the pandemic.
The number of cases is rising in 39 states, and at least five - Alabama, Alaska, Kansas, North Carolina and South Carolina - had single-day case records on Friday, the New York Times reports. His comments were followed by a military flyover involving various aircraft, including B-52 bombers and F-35 fighter jets.
According to Johns Hopkins research, nearly 130,000 people have died of Covid-19 in the US - the most of any country - and the US has 2.8 million confirmed cases. A massive firework display was later held in Washington DC, watched by spectators who gathered on the National Mall.
Ahead of Mr Trump's speech, Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside the White House - the scene of many recent anti-racism demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd's killing in police custody.Ahead of Mr Trump's speech, Black Lives Matter protesters gathered outside the White House - the scene of many recent anti-racism demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd's killing in police custody.
How is 4 July being marked? What else did Trump say?
In Washington, the White House has invited hundreds of paramedics, doctors and nurses to the 4 July party, despite the safety concerns of Washington DC's Mayor Muriel Bowser. Addressing America's coronavirus battle, the president said his administration had "made a lot of progress" and "our strategy is moving along well", despite the nationwide surge in infections.
"We are giving DC residents the same message about any of their outings for the holiday weekend," Ms Bowser told reporters. "Ask yourself, 'Do you need to be there?'" Mr Trump, who faces re-election this year and appears keen to fire up his conservative base with appeals to nationalism, accused China of trying to conceal the virus outbreak - a charge Beijing denies.
The fight against the pandemic is a theme of what the White House calls its Independence Day "Salute to America". Thousands of people are expected to pack nearby streets to watch a military flypast and fireworks. "China's secrecy, deceptions and cover-up allowed [the virus] to spread all over the world," he alleged.
The US Department of the Interior plans to hand out 300,000 face masks to spectators who gather on the National Mall. They will also be urged to keep 6ft (1.8m) apart. How did the US mark 4 July?
Many 4 July events were cancelled on public health grounds, with beaches in Florida and California closed, city parades cancelled and firework displays curtailed.
Joe Biden, the Democratic Party rival to Mr Trump in this year's presidential election, tweeted that "this Fourth of July, one of the most patriotic things you can do is wear a mask".Joe Biden, the Democratic Party rival to Mr Trump in this year's presidential election, tweeted that "this Fourth of July, one of the most patriotic things you can do is wear a mask".
Firework displays are a traditional highlight of 4 July, but an estimated 80% of cities and towns have cancelled their shows.Firework displays are a traditional highlight of 4 July, but an estimated 80% of cities and towns have cancelled their shows.
New York City usually holds an hour-long extravaganza, but this year it was replaced by five-minute displays through the week, organised by Macy's department store, with a final televised one on Saturday - all at undisclosed locations.New York City usually holds an hour-long extravaganza, but this year it was replaced by five-minute displays through the week, organised by Macy's department store, with a final televised one on Saturday - all at undisclosed locations.
Major League Baseball cancelled its 2020 All-Star Game for the first time since World War Two.Major League Baseball cancelled its 2020 All-Star Game for the first time since World War Two.
Defying the health warnings, President Trump on Friday addressed a big crowd at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, condemning the "angry mobs" who had toppled statues in anti-racism protests.
The site, with its giant mountain carvings of former US presidents, was chosen to strengthen his claim that US heritage is under attack.
Two of the presidents whose faces are carved into Mount Rushmore - George Washington and Thomas Jefferson - were slave-owners.
Mr Trump, gearing up for a tough re-election battle, accused protesters of waging "a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children".