Brussels (Belgium) (AFP) – Fireworks, a US pop star, and a fighter jet flyby: Brussels will host one of the biggest events marking the 250th anniversary of American independence this summer, according to Donald Trump’s ambassador to Belgium. Envoy Bill White told AFP the US-staged bonanza would be the “largest, biggest, best, most amazing, extraordinary, phenomenal, fantastic event outside of the president’s events in Washington.”
Trump has announced a series of spectacular celebrations around the July 4 anniversary — unveiling plans to build a huge arch in the nation’s capital to mark the milestone. The Brussels festivities are planned for June 28 in the Cinquantenaire park, in the heart of the city’s European quarter. White said the event was expected to draw 5,000 people and would feature a speech by Prime Minister Bart De Wever.
“We have Secretary General Mark Rutte, who’s a great friend and a great guy representing NATO, and we hope to have Ursula von der Leyen, who is representing the EU,” he said. On the US side, White said he had invited “senior people” from the Trump administration — touting a personal relationship with the president going back three decades.
Guests will be treated to a flyby of US-made aircraft, a half-hour firework show, and a headline act by a “very well known” male US artist, he promised. Contacted by AFP, the offices of De Wever, Rutte, and von der Leyen did not immediately confirm they would be taking part in the event.
© 2024 AFP
