"For a public gathering that is ostensibly targeting an audience of hundreds of millions of Americans, the display of weaponry, aircraft and pyrotechnics has been scripted primarily to satisfy an audience of one."

"By having Trump speak to a select audience, flanked by armored tactical vehicles, organizers hope he will avoid the prospect of facing a smaller crowd of the sort that gathered on the Mall for his swearing-in. But the White House has also been scrambling in recent days to line up enough attendees, as Trump’s aides fret that either thunderstorms or the traditional free concert on the other end of the Mall could diminish the crowd for Trump’s 6:30 p.m. speech.... White House officials have repeatedly urged Trump to stick to the script his staff has prepared for him to deliver Thursday, which includes a unifying message about patriotism and avoids political taunts or attacks, and aides say he has agreed not to give a political speech. But his aides were tentatively planning to play campaign music when he takes the stage, according to one individual familiar with the plan...."

That's from "Inside the effort to build suspense — and crowds — for Trump’s Fourth of July," where the Washington Post titillates its readers with hopes of what could go wrong. The headline is very restrained, but I read that as self-protective. The Post doesn't want to look bad if things go really well. But it has its own "effort to build suspense," as it shows Trump-hating readers how to enjoy the otherwise irritating "Trump Fourth." It might be a screw-up!

And the end of the article pushes back the Trump haters, hinting of the risk in over-dramatizing:

“Panicking partisans that think this is the cinematic beginning of a military state need to grab a sparkler and a Bud,” [said Will Ritter, co-founder of Poolhouse, a Republican ad agency]. “It’s much bigger than one person, much more important than showing off metal, nailing the president or ‘owning the libs.’ It should be an unapologetic celebration that we are blessed to live in the greatest nation on earth, during the best time in human history. Have a hot dog!”

The president’s advisers say Trump sees the event as a way to associate himself with the flag and patriotism, which will resonate with many Americans the way his comments criticizing National Football League players for kneeling during the national anthem did. After wading into the anthem debate, according to two former senior administration officials speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations, Trump told his aides, “It’s a winning issue for me.”

“What are they going to say? I’m being too patriotic? I believe in America?” one official recounted Trump saying. “Give me a break.”

So, WaPo readers, wait to see the screw-ups, and then pounce.