Trump Claims 422,000 at July 4 Mall Event as Reports Find No Independent Proof

3 articles · Updated · The Independent · Jul 6

422,000 people attended his July 4 National Mall celebration, Trump said Sunday, raising his estimate from 375,000 before a weather evacuation and saying at least 150,000 later returned.
More than two hours of lightning delays emptied the Mall before Trump's speech began after 11 p.m., after he said he reversed a decision to cancel the event.
No independent evidence has substantiated the attendance figures, according to media reports, and the White House referred questions back to Trump's Truth Social post.
500,000 people were estimated at the 1976 bicentennial parade, meaning Trump's claimed turnout would still fall short of that benchmark.
The crowd dispute adds to setbacks around Freedom 250's semiquincentennial events, which have also faced weather problems, a power outage, dropouts and reports of thin attendance.