With record heat near 40 degrees Celsius forecast for the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump has announced plans for a lengthy speech at the Independence Day event.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS), a heat warning was issued for the Washington, D.C. area from Wednesday through July 4. The high temperature reached 38 degrees Celsius Wednesday and was forecast to rise to 39 degrees on July 3. On July 4, U.S. Independence Day, the high is expected to soar to around 39 to 40 degrees Celsius.
In a speech in North Dakota the previous day, Trump said, "On July 4, the temperature will rise to about 107 degrees (Fahrenheit, 41.7 degrees Celsius), and I'm going to go there and make a very long speech to show that I can do anything."
Trump, who is 80 years old this year, is interpreted as delivering a message of confidence in his health and stamina by personally promising a lengthy speech even amid the record heat. Trump often continues speeches lasting more than an hour, drawing attention to the actual length of this speech.
According to "Freedom 250," an organization under the Trump administration hosting the event, Trump is scheduled to deliver his speech around 9:45 p.m. on July 4 at the National Mall in central Washington, D.C.
The "Tribute to America," commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, will be held at the National Mall. Air Force formation flights and an air show, along with military band and honor guard performances, will take place before Trump's keynote speech.
As the final segment of the event, a fireworks display will begin between 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Organizers plan to launch 850,000 fireworks over about 40 minutes, also challenging to break a Guinness World Record.
Trump had earlier called the event a "Trump Rally," announcing, "I'm going to make a speech you'll never want to miss."
However, with large crowds expected to gather at the National Mall for Independence Day and the heat wave adding to the pressure, concerns are growing over heat-related illnesses and safety accidents.
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