TMZ.com

Donald Trump's grand plan for a show of force in D.C. on the 4th may be costing taxpayers a fortune, and not just because the tanks are expensive, but because of his grandiose and possibly unrealistic vision of a record-breaking crowd.

TMZ's got the receipts, and although no one will give us a straight answer as to why certain costs have swelled from prior years, it appears the cost jump is related to Trump's hopes for a massive crowd. 

For instance, according to federal procurement docs ... 2 separate payments of $31,764.24 and  $9,534 were made to a Maryland company for portable toilet rentals. This is roughly 4 times as much as what was spent last year for the Independence Day celebration's sanitation services.

Why so expensive? No one from The White House is talking, but it seems there will be more toilets to accommodate the estimated crowd. If the estimate turns out to be unrealistic, there will be a lot of empty toilets ... except for the taxpayer money that will be flushed down the hole.

We've also uncovered purchase orders of $19,282 to rent golf carts. There weren't any golf carts last year. 

As for the main attraction -- the fireworks -- the USA's forking over $320,549.26 to Garden State Fireworks. That figure swelled from last year's cost -- $270k. 

These amounts are relative peanuts in the world of government, but it's a sign this ain't gonna be a cheap celebration. 

The Prez has promised to showcase "the strongest and most advanced Military anywhere in the World" with "Incredible Flyovers" and has poo-pooed the cost ... suggesting fuel is the only expense.

However, this doesn't take into account the cost to operate the planes and military weapons used throughout the event, and it's been reported the National Park Service is diverting $2.5 MILLION in funds to pay for the July 4 extravaganza.

Jon Stewart paid his final respects to Ground Zero first responder Luis Alvarez, who just days before his death, sitting side-by-side with Stewart, pled with Congress to extend compensation funds for 9/11 victims.

Detective Alvarez's funeral was held Wednesday in NYC. He died Saturday from complications resulting from the cancer linked to months he spent combing through the rubble at Ground Zero.

Alvarez, a retired NYPD bomb squad detective, delivered a heart-wrenching testimony on Capitol Hill last month about his 9/11-related health issues and called for Congress to replenish the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund ... which is set to expire next year.

Alvarez said it was his goal and legacy to make sure lawmakers do the right thing for all 9/11 responders.

Stewart also spoke in front of the committee and made a passionate plea for Congress to approve the extension of the fund, while also chastising members for not making it a priority.

The former 'Daily Show' host attended Alvarez's funeral along with Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney and countless members of law enforcement.

Alvarez was 53.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is at the center of perhaps the most puzzling moment of the Democratic debates, because a magic act happened on her chin ... and the question is WHO's the magician??

The Congresswoman from Hawaii was talking foreign policy during the debate -- specifically the possibility of America going to war with Iran. Important stuff, no doubt. However, as Gabbard spoke many viewers focused on her chin and what appeared to be a tiny zit -- nothing that would require Dr. Pimple Popper or anything, but still ... it was there.

Then it happened. Seriously, if you haven't seen it ... YOU MUST. Within a matter of seconds the blemish simply vanished ... AS Tulsi was talking!!! Remember, this is on a close-up camera, ON live television.

Look, we know this has zero impact on real Presidential issues ... but it's also kinda hard to ignore when ya see it happening clear as day on LIVE TV! 

Btw, we also combed through a bunch of photos of Gabbard from last night -- check the gallery -- and the Congresswoman ain't pimpin' ... as in, there's no sign of the mystery zit. Or whatever it is ... was.

We've reached out to NBC, which was responsible for the debate broadcast, and also Rep. Gabbard's campaign office. No word back from either ... but we're guessing the Congresswoman's as baffled as we are.

Seriously, folks. Where's Zapruder when ya need him??