Trump to hold political rally on July 4 to mark US 250th anniversary

US President Donald Trump announced plans on Monday for a major “rally” in Washington on the July 4 Independence Day, further imposing his political brand on celebrations of the United States’ 250th anniversary.

The announcement comes a day after the Republican billionaire staged a mixed martial arts fight on the White House lawn – on what just happened to be his 80th birthday – with military honour guards and Air Force flyovers.

Trump had previously posted that another event on June 24 would be the “Greatest Rally, EVER! … A Rally to end all Rallies!” and include performances by military bands and some of his favourite singers.

That event was put together after several musical artists pulled out of a 250th anniversary concert series in the US capital, with some citing the politicised nature of the event.

But posting on social media on Monday, Trump said the new July 4 event would be “the most spectacular TRUMP RALLY of them all”.

The “Tribute to America” event would be held at the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial – whose reflecting pool has recently been renovated under a multimillion dollar project ordered by the president.