Donald Trump's plans for the 4th of July celebrations this year are expansive, to say the least. The Washington D.C. 'Salute to America' event will reportedly feature not only warplanes flying overhead, but tanks stationed throughout the city, with many questioning the costs and suggesting it's a waste of taxpayers' money.
Aside from the "biggest ever" fireworks display - according to Trump - there will be a flyover from Air Force One, a display from the Navy's Blue Angels squadron, pyrotechnics, various other military hardware, and tanks shipped over from Georgia.
"Our July 4th Salute to America at the Lincoln Memorial is looking to be really big," Trump wrote on Twitter. "It will be the show of a lifetime!"
Many have criticized the president for the cost of this event, especially after The Washington Post reported that $2.5 million has been diverted from the National Park Service to help pay for the event.
Theresa Pierno, president of the National Parks Conservation Association, said that it was a "breach of public trust" when speaking to the Post. "The public pays parks fees to fix national parks and for educational programs, not the president’s parade," she said.
Now that the day is upon us, various lawmakers, celebrities and other Americans are forming boycotts on Twitter, calling for everyone to ignore the event entirely. Others have suggested that Trump is staging a campaign rally on what should be a day of unity.
While estimates of the cost of the event have been high, Trump administration officials have refused to share a number so far.
During the event, the famous Trump baby blimp will be in attendance, with organization Code Pink receiving a permit to feature it there. They have, however, raised issues over the state's refusal to have the blimp featured in an area where the President would be able to see it.