President Donald Trump said he overruled a recommendation to cancel a July 4 celebration on the National Mall after severe weather forced an evacuation, saying 150,000 supporters returned for his speech and fireworks display.

Trump Restarts Celebration After Storm Evacuation

On Monday, Trump said in a Truth Social post that the event had drawn a large crowd before lightning threats prompted officials to clear the area for safety.

"The Crowd at 7:05 in the evening was 422,000 people," Trump wrote.

He added, "All were forced to leave because of the weather, the event was cancelled, and everyone was gone because of lightning."

Trump said he decided to reverse the cancellation and wait for conditions to improve so the celebration could continue.

"When I heard that it was cancelled, I immediately overturned that decision, and waited a while for people to come back," he wrote.

The president said about 150,000 people returned to watch his address and the fireworks, calling the outcome "an even more spectacular evening than it would have been as normalized."

Trump also praised the U.S. Secret Service and law enforcement, writing, "Congratulations to the Secret Service and Law Enforcement on being able to get so many people back into the Arena in such rapid fashion!"

He added that the timing of the event proved fortunate, saying heavy rain did not begin until "immediately after the Great Fireworks ended."

Trump's Mount Rushmore Speech

Last week, President Trump marked the start of Independence Day celebrations at Mount Rushmore with a political speech warning of a "communist menace" in the U.S. and criticizing progressive movements.

He called communism a threat to freedom and the Constitution while urging electoral changes, including ending the Senate filibuster and supporting the "SAVE America Act."

Trump also praised the leaders depicted at Mount Rushmore as defenders of American values and strength.

Bill Maher On July 4 Celebrations

Last month, Bill Maher urged Americans to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary despite political disagreements over Trump.

He said patriotism belonged to everyone and that the holiday was about America, not any single president.