Beaming with happiness after the US Congress passed the Big Beautiful Bill, President Donald Trump addressed reporters on Thursday at Joint Base Andrews before departing for the Iowa State Fairgrounds to participate in Independence Day celebrations.
The 79-year-old leader revealed his plans to sign the landmark legislation at 5 p.m. on July 4, during which B2, F22, and F35 fighter jets will conduct a dramatic flyover of the White House to mark the occasion.
“We’re signing at about 5 o’clock, and at about 5 o’clock, we’re going to have B2s and F22s and F35s flying right over the White House,” Trump said.
The event is expected to be a patriotic display, showcasing American air power at a moment the President considers a legislative triumph. Trump boarded Air Force One shortly after making the announcement.
💰 What Will It Cost?
While Trump did not reveal how many aircraft will participate, estimated costs suggest the military spectacle could cost upwards of $2 million.
Based on standard per-hour operating costs:
- B2 Bomber: ~$150,741/hour
- F22 Raptor: ~$85,325/hour
- F35A Lightning II: ~$42,000/hour
Assuming round-trip times of 4 hours for B2s (from Missouri) and 2 hours for F22s and F35s (from Virginia or Maryland), a show involving 2 B2s, 3 F22s, and 3 F35s would run close to $2 million.
📜 What Is the Big Beautiful Bill?
The Big Beautiful Bill, a sweeping tax and spending package, passed the House in a narrow 218-214 vote, with two Republican lawmakers—Thomas Massie and Brian Fitzpatrick—voting against it, alongside unanimous opposition from Democrats.
The bill is set to allocate $4.5 trillion toward various policy priorities, including border security, defense, and domestic infrastructure, and is seen as a major political win for Trump’s administration.
🗣️ Trump’s Final Word
Trump, energized by the legislative victory and looking to reinforce national pride on Independence Day, will cap off the holiday with both a pen stroke and the roar of jet engines over Washington D.C.
As the President put it:
“We have a big job to finish. With one big beautiful bill, we are going to make this country stronger, safer and more prosperous than ever before.”