Friday's Headlines: A divided America gathers as Trump puts stamp on Fourth

A nonpartisan performance by Trump at an event clouded in controversy; Analysis: How much each flyover cost during Trump's event

Democracy Dies in Darkness

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A divided America gathers as Trump puts stamp on Fourth Crowds were pulled in opposite directions on a polarized Mall, with "Make America Great Again" caps bedecking the throngs near the Lincoln Memorial and protest Baby Trump balloons amid the masses near the Capitol. But the ties that unify the nation were also on display. By Peter Jamison, Samantha Schmidt, Hannah Natanson and Steve Hendrix · Read more A nonpartisan performance by Trump at an event clouded in controversy The president's supporters, including many with VIP tickets to the event, say Trump is simply celebrating America. Democrats accuse the White House of turning a taxpayer-funded, nonpolitical event into a reelection rally. By Toluse Olorunnipa and Anne Gearan · Read more   Analysis: How much each flyover cost during Trump's event Largely staying away from politics, President Trump's hourlong "Salute to America" was perhaps most noteworthy for the seven flyovers during the event. By JM Rieger · Read more   MORE COVERAGE Russian state media takes event as chance to 'troll' U.S. Russian television hosts mocked the military equipment that will appear at the "Salute for America" on Thursday, saying that the tanks and other armored vehicles had "paint peeling off" and required "adhesive tape." By Amie Ferris-Rotman and Kayla Epstein · Read more   Trump's Fourth of July history speech: Turns out there weren't airports back then Historians ⁠— at least the ones fact-checking the president on Twitter ⁠— were not impressed with the prersident's performance. By Gillian Brockell · Read more   Scenes from the Mall Washington Post photographers captured the sights as people gathered for the Fourth of July celebration. Read more   With connections and luck, some score tickets to VIP section of Trump's event Many, wearing ponchos to ward off the steady rain, had managed to score tickets because a dad worked for the Secret Service, because a relative was an employee of a company that contracted with the Republican National Committee, or because they had a bit of luck. By Hannah Natanson, Samantha Schmidt and and Justin Jouvenal · Read more   Perspective: Where Trump should have gone on July 4 There were no tanks or fighter jets. Just 51 joyful immigrants becoming U.S. citizens at Mount Vernon on Independence Day. And it was perfect. By Petula Dvorak · Read more   Administration scrambles to save citizenship question on census Facing a Friday deadline, Trump administration officials and lawyers spent the holiday seeking new rationales for the question as the printing of census forms continued. By Tara Bahrampour, Josh Dawsey, Matt Zapotosky and William Wan · Read more   'Doesn't look like the best economy ever': 40% of Americans say they still struggle to pay bills Despite the longest U.S. economic expansion on record, many sit on the edge of financial disaster. By Heather Long · Read more   6.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Southern California The quake hit about 160 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Closer to the epicenter, near Ridgecrest, residents reported minor injuries, power outages and damaged infrastructure. By Kayla Epstein and Hannah Knowles · Read more     ADVERTISEMENT   Opinions Trump made his critics look small during his 'Salute to America' By Marc Thiessen · Read more Trump tried to make Independence Day all about him. He ended up looking small. By Eugene Robinson · Read more Trump is pushing the census question again. Good luck with that. By Editorial Board · Read more Dear Democrats: I'll vote for any of you. But please nominate someone who'll win. By Megan McArdle · Read more The Supreme Court's gerrymandering decision is dire. But we can fix it. By Eric Holder · Read more The world knows about Uighurs. There should be a rallying cry to save them. By Carl Gershman · Read more   ADVERTISEMENT   More News EXCLUSIVE How the NRA's aggressive stand after Newtown school massacre divided its leaders Over the objections of some top officials, NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre struck a defiant posture in appearances crafted by the group's now-estranged advertising firm. By Carol Leonnig, Beth Reinhard and Tom Hamburger · Read more   Campaign 2020 Harris's views on busing come under question after her debate criticism of Biden's past position Sen. Kamala D. Harris's recent answers have varied when asked where she stands on busing to address school segregation. By Chelsea Janes · Read more   Sudan's opposition and military leaders reach power-sharing deal The long-awaited way forward was met with both celebration and skepticism. By Max Bearak · Read more   Mad magazine, a pioneer of modern satire, to stop publishing new content The once-subversive institution, which inspired generations of comedians and artists, will endure mostly by recirculating its vintage material. By Michael Cavna · Read more   In the footsteps of Camus: Looking for traces of Algeria's estranged son What is left of the iconic French writer in the beloved country of his birth? By James McAuley · Read more   Perspective The U.S. women are part of a movement. They won't be the only female athletes to speak up. A female-driven era of sports activism is gaining momentum, and change has already arrived. By Jerry Brewer · Read more   Post Reports | Listen Now How a trade war could blow up the U.S. fireworks supply Taylor Telford explains how the United States became reliant on China for fireworks — and what the ongoing trade war might mean for future Fourth of July celebrations. And science reporter Lena Sun explains her obsession with sour cherries. By The Washington Post · Read more

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