Trump's $45 Million Military Parade for Army's 250th Anniversary Draws Widespread Criticism

Washington, D.C. – A grand military parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, held on June 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C., and presided over by President Donald Trump on his 79th birthday, has ignited significant controversy due to its estimated cost of up to $45 million and accusations of politicization. The event, which featured over 6,000 troops, 150 military vehicles, and 62 aircraft, marked the first major military parade in the capital since 1991.

The parade's budget, initially estimated between $25 million and $45 million, drew bipartisan criticism, with some lawmakers highlighting it as excessive government spending amidst broader cost-cutting measures. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal stated, "Trump squandering $45 million in taxpayer dollars on a military parade for his birthday is the epitome of government waste," further noting the ongoing budget cuts to vital programs. The Army anticipated an additional $16 million in potential road damage, though measures like steel plates were used to mitigate this.

Critics argued that the parade, coinciding with President Trump's birthday, politicized the military, drawing comparisons to displays often seen in authoritarian regimes. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth directly questioned the Army Secretary, asserting, "Let's be clear: You're not doing it to celebrate the Army's birthday, you’re doing it to stroke Donald Trump's ego." President Trump, however, defended the event, stating, "I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday," and emphasized its role in celebrating the military and American strength.

The event was met with widespread "No Kings" protests across the United States, with organizers estimating millions participated in over 2,000 events opposing the parade and the administration's policies. Despite the protests and a light drizzle, President Trump hailed the parade as a "tremendous success," asserting that the cost was "peanuts compared to the value of doing it." Public opinion polls, such as one by AP-NORC, indicated that 60% of U.S. adults believed the parade was not a good use of government money.

The parade involved extensive logistical preparations, including the transport of tanks and other heavy equipment from Fort Hood, Texas, and temporary flight restrictions at Reagan National Airport. Several corporations, including Oracle and Amazon, sponsored the event. Despite the spectacle, some reports noted sparse crowds and an underwhelming atmosphere, with the Guardian describing it as "neither the totalitarian North Korean spectacle that critics had grimly predicted, nor the triumph of MAGA nationalism."