Livestream: Trump Speaks At 'Salute To America' 4th Of July Event

WASHINGTON, DC — President Donald Trump has promised a “special evening” that could bring tens of thousands to the National Mall in celebration of Independence Day.

Trump's “Salute for America” celebration, planned Saturday evening, will include a speech from the White House South Lawn on American heritage, as well as a military flyover over the city and an enormous fireworks display, according to The Associated Press.

Trump is slated to speak at the event at 6:40 p.m. ET. Watch live on Patch using the above video player or on the White House's YouTube channel.

The president's plans for a huge celebration come as many communities have decided to scrap fireworks, parades and other holiday traditions this year. The goal is to prevent further spread of the coronavirus, which large gatherings could spur.

Confirmed cases are climbing in 40 states, and the U.S. set another record Friday with 52,300 newly reported infections, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

Trump kicked off the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display.

In a presidential message Saturday on the 244th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Trump acknowledged that “over the past months, the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.”