Trump's 4 July Celebration Costing at Least $ 1.2 Million for the Army – Pentagon

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WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) – The Pentagon said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's celebration of US Independence Day, which included the transportation of tanks and equipment to Washington, was costing US $ 1 billion. at least $ 1.2 million to the military.

Two Bradley combat vehicles accompanied Trump in his speech on July 4, in which he praised US military power although he himself avoided the project during the Vietnam War with bone spurs in the air. feet.

Trump told stories about each military branch before separate dramatic flyovers of their respective military planes.

Trump, a Republican who had the inspiration to stage the flashy affair after seeing a similar show in France, dismissed worries about spending and the militaristic nuances of the event at the time. Lincoln Memorial, 97 years old, symbol of national unity. .

"The total cost of the department's support to the" Salute in America "event has gone up to $ 1.2 million," the Pentagon said in a statement.

In addition to the cost to the military, the Washington Post announced last week that the US National Park Service had embezzled $ 2.5 million in park fees to help pay for the event.

The actual cost to the Pentagon is probably higher, since the Pentagon said the financing of the aircraft demonstrations came from the training budgets of the military services.

It was not clear at that time whether all of the $ 1.2 million was for the transportation of equipment such as two Abrams tanks and two Bradley combat vehicles from Fort Stewart, Georgia for the celebration.

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Melania Trump at the 4th of July event

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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 04: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump appear on July 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. President Trump is organizing this year's "Salut à l'Amérique" celebration at the National Mall on Independence Day with musical performances, a military flight and fireworks. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump kisses first lady Melania Trump during her speech at the Salute to America on July 4 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (Photo Susan Walsh / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit must match SUSAN WALSH / AFP / Getty Images)

US First Lady Melania Trump and Vice President Mike Pence cheer at the July 4 celebration "Salute to America" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (The photo credit should read: MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

Guest applauds the invitation of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to attend the "Salute to America" event to be held on July 4 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on the 4th July 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive for "Salute to America" on July 4 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (The photo credit should read: MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, US Vice President Mike Pence (left) and Acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (right), among others, observe the US Navy Blue Angels overflight at the July 4 "Salute to America" event at Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (Photo by Susan Walsh / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should match SUSAN WALSH / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump (right) and First Lady Melania Trump walk on stage at the July 4 celebration "Salute to America" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on July 4, 2019. ( Photo of MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump (CL) and First Lady Melania Trump stand on stage with others at the "Salute to America" event held on July 4th at Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit must match MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 04: First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence and Tiffany Trump watch a military aircraft fly over at the "Salute in America" ceremony in front of the Lincoln Memorial, 4 July 2019 in Washington, DC. The presentation included exposed armored vehicles, an overview of Air Force One and several fly-bys of other military aircraft. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 04: First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Second Lady Karen Pence and Tiffany Trump listen to President Donald Trump deliver the speech at the "Salute to America" ceremony Lincoln Memorial, July 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. The presentation included exposed armored vehicles, an overview of Air Force One and several fly-bys of other military aircraft. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 4: President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump come out after the "Salute to America" ceremony in front of the Lincoln Memorial on July 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. The presentation features exposed armored vehicles, an overview of Air Force One and several fly-bys of other military aircraft. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 04: President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence stand on stage following President Donald Trump's speech at the "Salute to America" ceremony In front of the Lincoln Memorial in July 4, 2019 in Washington, DC. The presentation included exposed armored vehicles, an overview of Air Force One and several fly-bys of other military aircraft. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger / Getty Images)

US First Lady Melania Trump (C) is escorted to the scene at the July 4, "Salute to America" event at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump (left) and First Lady Melania Trump leave after attending the July 4 "Salute to America" ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP ) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump (left) and US First Lady Melania Trump arrive for "Salute to America" on July 4 at Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019 (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the July 4 celebration "Salute to America" at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP ) (The photo credit should correspond to MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrive at the July 4 "Hi America" ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on July 4, 2019. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN / AFP) (The photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN / AFP / Getty Images)

The army did not immediately provide a breakdown of the cost. The simple act of flying the B-2 bomber for an hour costs about $ 122,000, according to the Air Force.

On Monday, Trump said that such an event would take place in the future.

"Based on its huge success, we are just making the decision – and I can think we can say we've made the decision – to do it again next year and, maybe we can say, in a near future, "Trump told reporters.

The 4th of July celebrates the declaration of independence of Britain by the American founders in 1776. (Report by Idrees Ali, additional report by Doina Chiacu, edited by Bill Berkrot)

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