Trump jokes he’ll give ‘really long’ July 4 speech despite 107-degree heat

MEDORA, NORTH DAKOTA: President Donald Trump said he has no plans to cut his July 4 remarks short despite forecasts calling for blistering temperatures in Washington, DC, joking that he'll use the occasion to prove he "can do anything."

Speaking during the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library opening on Wednesday, July 1, the 80-year-old brushed off the expected heat as he previewed his upcoming appearance at the America 250 celebration on the National Mall.

The president made the remarks while addressing supporters in North Dakota, where he touched on his upcoming Independence Day plans before shifting back to honoring Theodore Roosevelt.

Trump says extreme heat won't stop his July 4 address

Trump told the crowd that the weather would not affect the length of his speech at the nation's Independence Day celebration.

"By the way, on July 4th, it's going to be approximately 107 degrees out, and I'm going to go, and I'm going to make a really long speech just to show that I can do anything," Trump said.

Trump is scheduled to speak during the Salute to America 250 Celebration & Fireworks on the National Mall, with his address expected to begin at 9.45 pm EDT.

The event itself is set to start at 7 pm and is being organized by Freedom 250, the Trump administration's group overseeing the Great American State Fair and other America 250 celebrations.

While temperatures are expected to ease later in the evening, forecasters still anticipate hot conditions when Trump takes the stage.

Trump promises America 250 celebration will be 'the most spectacular rally '

Trump has repeatedly promoted the July 4 event as one of the biggest celebrations of his presidency.

Last month, he described it as "the most spectacular Trump rally of them all" while encouraging supporters to attend.

"There will be incredible Flyovers and Airshows featuring our Top Military Pilots and Equipment, and I will deliver keynote remarks that you will not want to miss," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

"To conclude the program, and commemorate this Historic Occasion, I will be launching, what will be, the LARGEST FIREWORKS SHOW IN HISTORY, right here in our Nation's Capital. Do not miss it," he added. 

The fireworks display is scheduled to begin later that night. While Freedom 250 lists the start time as 10.30 pm, Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser said earlier this week that the fireworks are expected to begin at 11 pm.

Weather forecasts point to dangerous heat in Washington on Fourth of July

The expected weather has become one of the biggest talking points ahead of the Independence Day event.

Forecasters predict Washington could reach a daytime high of 107 degrees, matching the temperature Trump referenced in his speech.

Although conditions are expected to cool somewhat by the evening, temperatures could still hover around 88 degrees when the president delivers his remarks.

Forecasters also expect humidity levels to climb as high as 54%, with a heat index of 94 degrees, making conditions feel even hotter outdoors.

Weather officials warned that the combination of heat and humidity could create an elevated extreme heat risk throughout Saturday.

"It looks as though the heat and humidity will likely hold on through the weekend as well," forecasters said on Wednesday.

They also cautioned that confidence in the exact daytime high could still change depending on cloud cover and thunderstorms developing before the event.

Even with those uncertainties, the forecast points to unusually hot conditions for the holiday.

Weather officials noted that Washington's hottest recorded Fourth of July reached 100 degrees in 1919, meaning this year's temperatures could challenge long-standing records if forecasts hold.