Former President Barack Obama encouraged people to be “smart” while celebrating Independence Day.
In what was a clear break from President Trump, Obama urged people to “listen to the experts” when it comes to how to stay safe amid the rises in coronavirus cases, not “the folks trying to divide us.”
“This holiday weekend, let’s be safe and smart. It’s going to take all of us to beat this virus. So wear a mask. Wash your hands. And listen to the experts, not the folks trying to divide us. That’s the only way we’ll do this—together,” he said in a tweet Friday that included a link to a New York Times article headlined: “Honor America’s birthday (safely) in 2020.”
Trump is expected to give a speech in South Dakota at Mount Rushmore during a Fourth of July celebration that will include fireworks.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said that officials will be providing masks to everyone in attendance but that wearing one is not mandatory. She also noted that social distancing won’t be recommended.
Both are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“Those who want to come and join us, we will give out free masts if they choose to wear one, but we won’t be social distancing. We are asking them to come be ready to celebrate, to enjoy the freedoms and the liberties we have in this country, and to talk about our history. And what it brought us today was an opportunity to raise our kids in the greatest country in the world,” Noem said on Fox News earlier this week.
Trump is expected to reference the “left-wing mob” and “cancel culture” during his speech at the event, according to a campaign official.
Rob Crilly contributed to this report.
