Trump's $45 Million Military Parade Draws Criticism Amidst Low Turnout and Protests

Washington D.C. witnessed a large-scale military parade on June 14, 2025, marking the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. The event, which featured over 6,600 troops, 150 military vehicles, and 50 aircraft, reportedly cost taxpayers between $25 million and $45 million, sparking widespread criticism and protests. The parade culminated with the Army's Golden Knights parachuting in to present a U.S. flag to President Trump.

The estimated $45 million price tag for the parade, which included up to $16 million allocated for potential road damage caused by heavy vehicles, drew significant backlash. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) criticized the expenditure, stating, "If it was really about celebrating military families, we could put $30 million toward helping them offset the cost of their child care, food assistance and tuition." Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called the parade "exorbitant" and a "gross misuse of funds" given ongoing budget cuts in other federal agencies.

Public opinion largely opposed the use of government funds for the spectacle. An NBC News poll revealed that 64% of Americans disapproved of the public funding, with majorities of Democrats (88%) and independents (72%) against it. Nationwide "No Kings Day" protests were organized, with many social media users and attendees observing a smaller crowd than anticipated and criticizing the parade's execution amidst uncooperative weather.

President Trump has long expressed a desire for such a military display, reportedly inspired by France's Bastille Day parade in 2017. Previous attempts to organize a similar event were shelved due to high costs and logistical concerns. Despite the controversy, Trump defended the expense, telling NBC's "Meet the Press" that the cost was "peanuts compared to the value of doing it," and warned that protesters would be "met with very big force."

Critics also raised concerns about the politicization of the military, drawing comparisons to military parades in authoritarian nations. The event occurred shortly after Trump deployed 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to respond to protests, a move that some experts called a "gross overstep." The parade's timing and scale, coupled with the political context, intensified the debate over its purpose and impact.