President Donald Trump releases July 4 message before 'Salute to America' event

Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

Credit: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

President Donald Trump has released his written statement to the nation to mark America's 243 anniversary hours before his "Salute to America" event held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

In the presidential statement, the White House says what was started more than two centuries ago still continues through today.

"The ideals and values of the American Revolution gave birth to a just and virtuous republic that has both fostered and been sustained by a people animated by courage, faith, and love. Countless contributions from statesmen, businessmen, philanthropists, educators, and other Americans from coast to coast have shaped our communities and inspired generation after generation to preserve and advance liberty, equality, and the American dream."

While the White House and the president have said that the "Salute to America" scheduled for Thursday evening will honor the five branches of the American military and will feature military plane flyovers and armored vehicles in the nation's capital, many are calling it a "Make America Great Again" campaign rally, ABC News reported.

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To counter what some are considering a politicization of the national holiday, White House spokespeople said Trump's remarks will be "about saluting America, our flag and our great armed forces," according to ABC News.

The complete cost of the event has not been released, but $2.5 million in National Park Service entrance fees meant to go to repairs to the national parks will be going to the president's event, The Washington Post reported.

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