Donald Trump pays homage to American story in patriotic speech

Donald Trump has delivered an Independence Day speech dripping with patriotism.

Donald Trump has paid homage to the story of America, honouring its heroes, pioneers and martyrs in an historic Independence Day speech dripping with patriotism in front of Washington’s Lincoln Memorial.

The president avoided any partisan political comment in the face of searing criticism from his opponents that he was politicising a traditionally bipartisan celebration by holding the July 4 spectacle in the capital.

“As we gather this evening in the joy of freedom, we remember that we all share a truly extraordinary heritage,” Mr Trump said in a speech punctuated by military flyovers and triumphant music. “Together, we are part of one of the greatest stories ever told — the story of America.”

Crowds braved the rain to listen to the speech. Picture: AFP.

Mr Trump’s speech, which was made behind bullet proof glass on the same spot that Martin Luther King gave his famous “I have a dream speech,” was a roll call of American achievements from Hollywood to the moon landing, the skyscraper to the automobile.

“It is the epic tale of a great nation whose people have risked everything for what they know is right and what they know is true,’ Mr Trump said. ‘No enemy has attacked our people without being met by a roar of thunder.”

Flyovers of fighter jets took place throughout Donald Trump’s speech. Picture: AP.

He paused throughout his speech to wait for carefully choreographed roaring flyovers of F-35 fighters, F-18 fighter jets, the Navy Blue Angels aerobatics team, Army and Coast Guard helicopters and Marine V-22 Ospreys as well as Air Force One.

Each flyover was accompanied by patriotic music from military bands and chants of “USA, USA” from the crowd, many of who were wearing MAGA hats and Trump T-shirts.

The president spoke alongside Vice President Mike Pence, the First Lady Melania Trump, military chiefs and a carefully selected group of VIPs including Republican donors.

Guests wearing MAGA caps arrive for Donald Trump's 'Salute to America' event. Picture: AP.

Mr Trump departed the stage to the song “God Bless the USA,” which he uses as his entry song for his political rallies.

On a day punctuated by heavy thunderstorms, the crowd appeared to be far less than the president had hoped for. Washington locals, the vast majority of whom are Democrat, had protested for days about Mr Trump’s decision to become the first president in modern history to speak at a July 4 event.

Democrats accused the president of appropriating the bipartisan celebration for his own political purposes.

Democrat presidential frontrunner Joe Biden said the event was “designed more to stroke his ego than celebrate American ideals.”

On Washington’s mall an inflated balloon of a giant Trump in nappies was a rallying point for several hundred protesters who handed out small inflated baby Trump balloons to passers-by.

Watching on was Jeff Talbot, a retired automotive factory worker, who flew down from his home in Michigan with his wife Sharon.

“We came all the way here to hear our president and to watch the fireworks,” he said as he sat overlooking the Lincoln Memorial.

“Some people say he is trying to divide the country by doing this but I think he is trying to unite the country, I really do. This is all about our country and about celebrating its birth.”

Donald Trump and Melania Trump in front of the Lincoln Memorial. Picture: AP.

Mr Talbot says he voted Democrat all his life including for Mr Obama, until he turned to Mr Trump in 2016 because he opposed the Democrats on the issue of abortion and same sex marriage.

Nearby, two former US Army officers Abe Daly and David Heredia, sat wearing Trump caps.

“I am very happy that Trump is here,’ said Mr Daly. “The Democrats should just get over it.”

“They forget what happened under the Kennedy administration but he was a Democrat so no one complained,” Mr Heredia said. “It’s only because of their hatred for this president that they are complaining. We both served over 20 years in the military. We believe in this country and the values behind our founding fathers.

“That’s what gives those people over there the right to protest,” he said pointing to the giant Trump baby balloon.

US Navy Blue Angels flyover at the Washington Monument. Picture: AP.

One of those protesters, Amy Zhou, a Washington resident for more than 30 years said she came to show her opposition to the president speaking at such an event on Independence Day.

“I am pretty upset that this special day has been commandeered by the commander-in-chief,’ she said as she held a stick holding up with a mini inflated Trump figure in a nappy.

“I don’t see why he should turn our Independence Day into a campaign rally. He has turned a patriotic event into a political event which is disgusting.”

Some protesters set fire to two American flags but the Secret Service quickly moved in and took them away.

Holy crap.

So I went to film communist @joey4revolution light a flag on fire in front of the White House.

What I didn’t expect was that the flag burst into flames and the Proud Boys showed up. Fighting ensued.

Things got violent (tweet 1 of a thread that’ll take some time.) pic.twitter.com/nkDRlr1dsg

— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) July 4, 2019

Ken Holewinski and his wife Gina Bridges drove from their home in Georgia to hear Mr Trump speak.

“This is a moment for all Americans,’ Mr Holewinski said. “Nobody was uninvited. I mean look around. I see many different races and nationalities and Democrats. it is truly an American event. Democrats have a different point of view but nobody said they couldn’t come in. We are here because we love our country.”

Cameron Stewart is also US Contributor for Sky News Australia