Trump opens Fourth of July weekend with fireworks

The opening of the Fourth of July weekend at the iconic Mount Rushmore ended with fireworks on Friday, after US President Donald Trump gave a speech lashing out at "left-wing mobs".

Trump had zeroed in on the desecration by some protesters of monuments and statues across the country that honor those who have benefited from slavery, including some past presidents.

The pre-holiday address to mark the nation's independence follows weeks of nationwide protests following the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.

The speech and fireworks at Mount Rushmore came against the backdrop of a pandemic that has killed over 125,000 Americans.

The president flew across the nation to gather a big crowd of supporters, most of them maskless and all of them flouting public health guidelines that recommend not gathering in large groups.