NewsPolitics

Actions

GAO: Trump's Independence Day gala in 2019 cost $13M

GAO: Trump's Independence Day gala in 2019 cost $13M
Posted
and last updated

Government watchdogs say President Trump’s Fourth of July gala in the nation’s capital last year cost taxpayers more than $13 million, twice as much as previous celebrations.

Each year, the nation's capital hosts Independence Day celebrations; a parade, concert, fireworks and, in 2019, "A Salute to America." Trump’s desire to have Department of Defense military vehicles participate last year helped drive up the cost, according to the Government Accountability Office.

The president’s attendance also increased expenses.

The report says that some other costs, such as for military flyovers of the National Mall, aren't included in the estimate.

Trump’s military-focused Independence Day event went beyond the traditional concert and fireworks of years past. The GAO estimated that holiday celebrations from 2016 to 2018 cost from $6 million to $7 million annually.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Wednesday

11/19/2025

Partly Cloudy

61° / 47°

6%

Thursday

11/20/2025

Rain

56° / 48°

93%

Friday

11/21/2025

AM Clouds/PM Sun

58° / 47°

24%

Saturday

11/22/2025

Partly Cloudy

64° / 45°

7%

Sunday

11/23/2025

Sunny

66° / 45°

6%

Monday

11/24/2025

Mostly Sunny

63° / 46°

6%

Tuesday

11/25/2025

Partly Cloudy

59° / 44°

6%

Wednesday

11/26/2025

Partly Cloudy

62° / 46°

6%