Trump pauses ‘Salute to America’ speech while military aircraft soar overhead

President Donald Trump promised Americans a “great show” over the Fourth of July holiday, and he didn’t disappoint.

Ever the showman, Trump interrupted his patriotic speech about “the story of America” in front of the Lincoln Memorial as Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine, and Navy aircraft flew overhead. For the show’s finale, a formation of six F/A-18 jets from the Navy’s Blue Angels aerial demonstration team streaked across the overcast sky, breaking ranks just as they thundered over the awe-struck crowd.

Greatest nation

The intermittent rain and dramatic skies contributed to a suspenseful performance by the commander-in-chief, who timed his speech to coincide with the aerial acrobatics occurring overhead. The spectacle began when Air Force One, a Boeing-VC-25, completed a flyby, signifying the president’s presence and eliciting shouts of “USA! USA!”

Despite predictions from Trump’s critics, the president did not turn the military parade into a political rally. He stuck to a single theme, describing why the U.S. is the “most exceptional nation in the history of the world” by recalling America’s military history.

Trump explained how that exceptionalism is only made possible by a military that is “stronger than it’s ever been before. It is its strongest now,” Trump said.

Addressing an audience that filled the memorial grounds and overflowed down both sides of the Capitol Reflecting Pool, Trump took a moment to honor the Gold Star Families and Medal of Honor recipients who were present at the event. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford and Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper joined the president on stage as he recited the history of each service branch, pausing to allow the Army Chorus to play the service hymns.

The main event

The crowd grew anxious as the main event approached, and soon a dim roar could be heard in the distance as a series of warplanes approached in tight formations. First, the Air Force featured its aircraft — a B-2 stealth bomber flanked by two F-22 Raptor stealth fighters at each wingtip.

Next, two AH-64 Apache attack helicopters soared past, representing the Army. The Coast Guard showcased its HH-60 Jayhawk and HH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopters, while the Marines exhibited two MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and the new VH-92 Marine One helicopter responsible for transporting the president short distances.

The Navy showed off a pair of F-35C Joint Strike Fighters which flew in a diamond formation with two F/A-18 Super Hornets.

The grand finale

For the grand finale, the Blue Angels roared past, leaving an artistic pattern of chemical smoke trails in their wake. Trump began his closing marks as the fighter jets were departing. “We will never forget that we are America and the future belongs to us,” he said.

The president continued: “The spirit of American independence will never fade, will never fail, but will reign forever and ever and ever. We are one people chasing one dream and one magnificent destiny,” he added. “So once more to every citizen throughout our land, have a glorious Independence Day. Have a great Fourth of July.”

Trump had one trick left up his sleeve, however. To the audience’s delight, a single Blue Angel returned, playfully dipping its wing before streaking off into the night sky.

The president seemed pleased by the performance. “A great crowd of tremendous Patriots this evening, all the way back to the Washington Monument!” he tweeted after the ceremony. Watch the full show below: