Donald Trump has spent months hyping his July Fourth speech on the National Mall as the centerpiece of America’s 250th birthday celebration. Behind the scenes, however, White House officials are reportedly worried about something much less festive: whether enough people will actually show up.
According to CNN, concerns inside the White House intensified after Trump’s speech on the Mall last week drew a smaller crowd than expected. The president reportedly became furious after seeing aerial photos that showed large open areas beyond the audience gathered near the stage.
The speech itself came together after several scheduled musical acts reportedly withdrew from the event, prompting Trump to step in as the headline attraction. He spoke for about 30 minutes, focusing largely on his administration’s accomplishments and his vision for the country.
But after the event, the crowd size quickly became a source of frustration.
CNN reports that once Trump saw the aerial images, he grew upset, and some White House officials who had shared the photos on social media later deleted their posts. Trump then pushed back publicly, insisting the crowd had been “packed to the brim.”
The White House dismissed reports suggesting the president was upset, calling them “fake news.”
Still, officials are reportedly taking no chances ahead of Friday’s Independence Day celebration.
One White House official questioned why the event was scheduled so late in the evening, particularly with triple-digit temperatures expected and heightened security measures likely to make attending more difficult.
“I do not understand why we are doing this so late,” the official told CNN.
Another person familiar with the planning reportedly blamed disappointing attendance at recent events on an assumption that people would simply come without additional outreach.
For Friday’s rally, organizers plan to use free tickets for the viewing area closest to the stage in an effort to ensure it appears full, though officials also recognize that many people who reserve tickets may ultimately not attend.
The July Fourth speech is expected to cap off the administration’s broader Freedom 250 celebration, which includes a state fair on the National Mall, fireworks, concerts, and exhibits from across the country.
The celebration has faced a number of logistical challenges. Some states chose not to participate, citing budget constraints. Weather disruptions forced temporary closures and canceled performances. High temperatures have also created difficult conditions for visitors, with some exhibits temporarily shutting down after air-conditioning problems.
Trump, meanwhile, has continued promoting Friday’s event in his trademark style.
Speaking earlier this week, he joked that the weather could reach 107 degrees and promised to deliver “a really long speech” anyway, adding that people should come because “your favorite president will be speaking.”
Whether the crowd matches the expectations surrounding one of the administration’s highest-profile events of the year remains to be seen.
